Selwyn Image: Master of Stained Glass and Design

Selwyn Image (1849–1930) was a multifaceted British artist, designer, writer, and poet closely associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement. His contributions spanned stained glass design, book illustration, furniture, and embroidery, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship and aesthetic integrity.

Early Life and Education

Born on February 17, 1849, in Bodiam, Sussex, Image was the son of Reverend John Image, the vicar of Bodiam. He attended Marlborough College and later New College, Oxford, where he studied under the influential art critic John Ruskin. Initially pursuing a clerical career, Image was ordained as a deacon in 1872 and as a priest in 1873, serving in various parishes before shifting his focus entirely to art and design by 1882.  (Wikipedia)

Biography

In 1873, Image was ordained a priest in the Church of England. From 1882, he was associated with A.H. Mackmurdo in forming the Century Guild and designed the first issue (1884) of the Guild’s publication, The Hobby Horse. In 1883, he resigned his orders and turned to art. He produced designs for embroidery and stained glass; was a follower of John Ruskin and admirer of William Morris; became a master of the Art-Workers’ Guild in 1900; 1910-16; was Slade Professor of Art, Oxford University.

Artistic Contributions

Image’s artistic endeavours were diverse:

• Stained Glass Design: He created notable stained glass works, such as “The Seasons,” exhibited at the Paris International Exhibition in 1878, and the Archangel window at St. Mary’s Church in Mortehoe. His designs emphasized simplicity and effective use of leading, aligning with the Arts and Crafts ethos. (Wikipedia)
• Book Illustration and Binding: As a co-founder of the Century Guild of Artists with A.H. Mackmurdo and Herbert Horne, Image contributed to their magazine, The Hobby Horse, and designed intricate book covers, including those for “The Tragic Mary” and “Representative Painters of the Nineteenth Century.” (The Victorian Web)
• Furniture and Embroidery: His designs extended to furniture and embroidery, showcasing his versatility and adherence to the Arts and Crafts Movement principles.

Works

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL

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