American Art Collaborative

This watercolor is a study for La Farge's "Resurrection" window of 1894 for the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Methuen, Massachusetts, a memorial for local industrialist Henry Coffin Nevins (1843-1892). The enormous window measures 17 feet across and 11 feet high, and is said to contain some 8,000 pieces of glass. Julie Fanchette Henriette Nevins (d. 1904), Nevins' widow had brought La Farge to see the church in 1892, but unimpressed by the space he pursuaded her to build a new chancel with a single monumental window opening to frame his work. The chancel was designed by La Farge's son, the architect C. Grant La Farge of the firm Heins and La Farge (see James L. Yarnall, "John La Farge: A Biographic and Critical Study," 2012, p. 212). Christ appears in the center of the design in white surrounded by light, while robed figures to either side push away dark clouds. The finished window follows this study very closely (see Adams, Foster et al, "John La Farge," 1987, p. 214-218).