Design for Rose Window, St. John the Baptist, Brooklyn, NY
Medium
architecture, interiors
Classification
architecture, interiors
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1961-5-1
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Leon Dabo (1868–1960), an American artist celebrated for his atmospheric landscapes and Tonalist, ventured into architectural design with this 1905 *Design for Rose Window,. John the Baptist,, NY*. Created during a period of vibrant church construction in early 20th-century America, the work served as a preparatory plan for a signature circular stained glass feature in the Gothic Revival-style St. John the Baptist Church Rose windows, evoking celestial roses or divine mandalas, flooded interiors with symbolic colored light, blending artistry with spirituality. Classified under architecture and interiors in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, this piece highlights Dabo's versatility beyond painting, contributing to the era's decorative arts movement. Such designs were essential for capturing ethereal effects in pencil, watercolor, or gouache, guiding artisans in crafting luminous glass. Though research continues, it reflects Brooklyn's immigrant Catholic communities commissioning ornate sacred spaces amid urban growth. Visitors will appreciate how Dabo's vision bridges fine art and ecclesiastical architecture, illuminating faith through innovative design. (178 words)