Davids Charge to Solomon, by Burne-Jones and Morris, Trinity Church, Boston, Massachusetts. JPG Sir Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898)

The stained glass window presents a complex narrative scene unfolding across multiple registers and levels of depth. The composition is dominated by a central figure seated upon a raised platform, radiating authority through elaborate robes of deep crimson and gold. This individual holds what appears to be inscribed tablets, suggesting a role as lawgiver or judge. Surrounding this central figure are numerous individuals, arranged in hierarchical groupings that denote their relative importance within the depicted event.
A procession of figures moves towards the elevated platform from the left side of the window. These individuals appear to be engaged in an act of reverence or supplication, their gestures and postures conveying a sense of humility before the seated figure. The artist has rendered them with varying degrees of detail, emphasizing the collective nature of this movement rather than individual personalities.
Below the central scene, at ground level, a group of figures is actively involved in what seems to be a process of documentation or record-keeping. They are gathered around tables laden with scrolls and writing implements, their focused attention suggesting an important administrative function related to the events unfolding above. The use of warm tones – ochre, amber, and terracotta – for these lower registers creates a visual distinction from the cooler hues used in the upper portions of the window, further emphasizing the separation between the divine/judicial realm and the earthly/practical one.
The overall effect is one of controlled movement and solemnity. The use of stained glass inherently lends itself to an ethereal quality; light filtering through the colored panes creates a sense of otherworldliness that reinforces the narratives religious or historical significance. The intricate detailing in the figures’ garments, particularly the elaborate patterns and folds, demonstrates a meticulous attention to craftsmanship characteristic of the period.
Subtleties within the composition suggest layers of meaning beyond the immediate depiction. The contrast between the active movement of the procession and the static posture of the central figure implies a dynamic relationship between action and authority. The inclusion of the scribes at ground level hints at the importance of recording history and preserving knowledge, suggesting that the events being depicted are not merely ceremonial but have lasting consequences. The window’s design, with its emphasis on verticality and hierarchical arrangement, reinforces themes of divine order and social structure.