Today I've just re-installed the Gabriel window into St Peter's historic Church at Cremorne after carrying out some extensive restoration over the last few weeks. I did manage to see in the New Year in style but also spent many hours laboring over some quite challenging paintwork to achieve the best result I could in matching the old painted glass.
Extensive damage to the Gabriel window
With green paper block-outs to cut the glare
Piecing together fragments
There was no signature or date of manufacture to be found on the window but a best estimate is around 90 - 100 years. It was common of windows from this era to be very heavily painted and while they look quite good, if somewhat sombre, insitu it becomes terribly difficult to read and then re-create such dark paintwork in the studio.
Fired trace on piece of drapery
Same piece of glass with stipple matt applied
The restored window
The restored window
Detail of wingtip
Close up of restored area