The Miners' Gala
Artist: Wilson, William, OBE RSA RSW · 1905-1972
The panel is based on a pencil drawing in a sketchbook by Wilson owned by his descendants.
There are some subtle amendments, including the replacement of a small Union Jack flag in the hand of the child with that of France.
This, and the date of the panel, 1940, may represent a political statement by Wilson, that being the year not only of the Battle of Britain (1940-07-10 to 1940-10-31) but of the Fall of France (1940-05-10 to 1940-06-25) which predated that assault.
The hatted figure also features in the same sketchbook and was worked into a separate stained glass panel of an angler which is also held by Wilson's descendants.
There is a 35mm colour slide, possibly taken by Sir Robin Philipson PPRSA between Gillies' death and the clearing of Gillies' house and studio in 1973-74, in grey filing cabinet, 'Slides' drawer of the interior corner of a room at Temple showing the panel inserted in the top right corner of a wall. There is an open doorway tot he left and what appears to be daylight coming in from a larger clear window to the immediate right and possibly at right angles to the wall containing the stained glass panel.
© The Artist's Estate
Additional details
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Object data
Date 1940 Accession G.1992.052 Type Stained glass Stained glass Materials Support glass, lead
Medium PaintDimensions 52cm x 31cm Acquisition Bequest Gillies, William George, Sir, CBE RA RSA PPRSW (1973) -
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