DOI issue:
Nr. 143 (February 1905)
DOI article:A notable decorative achievement by W. Reynolds Stephens
DOI Page / Citation link: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20711#0022
A Notable Decorative Achievement
be taken as a model for future works of the same the accompanying duty of supervising the progress
order, and its admirable completeness testifies of the structure itself; and there are ample evi-
eloquently to the loyalty with which the collabora- dences of his picturesque fancy in the quaintness of
tors have fulfilled their respective obligations. the exterior, and in the scholarly taste which
The purpose of this church is to serve as a dignifies many of the interior details. As an
memorial of the late Arnold Heseltine, by architectural effort the church bears plainly the
whose brother, Mr. Evelyn Heseltine, it has stamp of his individuality and of that personal
been built and given to the parish. The donor intention which counts for so much in his practice,
placed in the hands of Mr. Reynolds-Stephens It is perfectly sincere, thoroughly studied, and, with
the responsibility for the whole scheme, and all its simplicity, wholly free from any archaic
made him general adviser with large powers 01 affectation; and it provides an absolutely appro-
control. To Mr. Harrison Townsend was then priate setting for the intricate piece of ornamenta-
entrusted the task of designing the building, with tion which it enshrines. He was responsible, too.
for such accessories as the pews, the
choir stalls, the litany stool, and
other objects which can be reckoned
among the furniture of the church.
But though the attractiveness of
the building as a sound and original
exercise in architectural invention
must not be overlooked, it is natur-
ally in the display of Mr. Reynolds-
Stephens' rare gifts as a decorator
that the chief interest centres. He
has given in the past many proofs
of his admirable ingenuity and of
his artistic resource, but, probably
because he has not before had quite
so complete an opportunity, he has
never shown such a grasp of large
essentials as can be discerned
throughout the whole of this pro-
duction. It can easily be appre-
ciated that in a decorative scheme
which does not admit of simple
uniformity, and which requires the
closest attention to a number d
small and carefully elaborated details,
there is always a danger that unity
of effect may be lost. It is not
less intelligible that the temptation
to arrive easily at the final result
by merely repeating certain salient
features is one to which even the
comparatively conscientious designer
is not unlikely to succumb. But
Mr. Reynolds - Stephens has not
spoiled the quality of his work either
by lingering too long over interesting
parts or by using too frequently the
same type of motive. Although
the impression made by the interior
bishop's chair in designed by 0f the church is at the first glance
walnut and pewter w. reynolds-stephfns .
(Reproduced by permission of the artist, who reserves copyright) one 01 quiet and resttul elegance,
6
be taken as a model for future works of the same the accompanying duty of supervising the progress
order, and its admirable completeness testifies of the structure itself; and there are ample evi-
eloquently to the loyalty with which the collabora- dences of his picturesque fancy in the quaintness of
tors have fulfilled their respective obligations. the exterior, and in the scholarly taste which
The purpose of this church is to serve as a dignifies many of the interior details. As an
memorial of the late Arnold Heseltine, by architectural effort the church bears plainly the
whose brother, Mr. Evelyn Heseltine, it has stamp of his individuality and of that personal
been built and given to the parish. The donor intention which counts for so much in his practice,
placed in the hands of Mr. Reynolds-Stephens It is perfectly sincere, thoroughly studied, and, with
the responsibility for the whole scheme, and all its simplicity, wholly free from any archaic
made him general adviser with large powers 01 affectation; and it provides an absolutely appro-
control. To Mr. Harrison Townsend was then priate setting for the intricate piece of ornamenta-
entrusted the task of designing the building, with tion which it enshrines. He was responsible, too.
for such accessories as the pews, the
choir stalls, the litany stool, and
other objects which can be reckoned
among the furniture of the church.
But though the attractiveness of
the building as a sound and original
exercise in architectural invention
must not be overlooked, it is natur-
ally in the display of Mr. Reynolds-
Stephens' rare gifts as a decorator
that the chief interest centres. He
has given in the past many proofs
of his admirable ingenuity and of
his artistic resource, but, probably
because he has not before had quite
so complete an opportunity, he has
never shown such a grasp of large
essentials as can be discerned
throughout the whole of this pro-
duction. It can easily be appre-
ciated that in a decorative scheme
which does not admit of simple
uniformity, and which requires the
closest attention to a number d
small and carefully elaborated details,
there is always a danger that unity
of effect may be lost. It is not
less intelligible that the temptation
to arrive easily at the final result
by merely repeating certain salient
features is one to which even the
comparatively conscientious designer
is not unlikely to succumb. But
Mr. Reynolds - Stephens has not
spoiled the quality of his work either
by lingering too long over interesting
parts or by using too frequently the
same type of motive. Although
the impression made by the interior
bishop's chair in designed by 0f the church is at the first glance
walnut and pewter w. reynolds-stephfns .
(Reproduced by permission of the artist, who reserves copyright) one 01 quiet and resttul elegance,
6