Can you identify the meaning of this detail in a stained glass window?

February 6, 2025 6:28 AM

This medallion is the only non-geometric detail in an abandoned church's large stained glass windows. I'm curious about the meaning of the meeting of the four men.

A seated wise man (or ruler?) with a book on a table in front of him with three other individuals in the scene, one of whom gestures toward the book while all the others look at him. I believe the church was Methodist when it was last used, but I don't know what denomination built the church.

posted by achrise to Religion & Philosophy (5 answers total)

Certainly not definitive, but my first guess would be Jesus debating the Pharisees.
posted by LionIndex at 6:40 AM on February 6

It looks to me like a reference to the story in the book of Luke Chapter 2 where Jesus is found in the temple sitting among the teachers listening and asking questions. I say this based on the fact that the figure on the left is smaller than the other figures and the blue light that seems to be around that figure, indicating divine approval.
posted by eleslie at 6:41 AM on February 6 [2 favorites]

Best answer: It’s a redrawn detail of Hofmann’s Christ in the Temple/Jesus among the Doctors/Der zwölfjährige Jesus im Tempel.
posted by zamboni at 6:49 AM on February 6 [6 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks zamboni. That is without a doubt it.
posted by achrise at 7:04 AM on February 6

Best answer: For the meaning of the scene, eleslie had it in one - it depicts the Finding in the Temple, a popular theme for Christian religious art.
posted by zamboni at 7:19 AM on February 6 [2 favorites]