Duncan Grant: Berwick Church

“All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.
In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not …
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world and the world was made by Him, and the world knew him not …
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us … full of grace and truth."
—John 1:3-5, 9-10, 14

I AM sitting in the final pew of Berwick Church. I am alone and as I look up above the chancel towards Duncan Grant’s Christ in Glory, I feel somewhat disappointed. Ominous shadows bleed from the rafters, drenching the Saviour’s form in darkness and gloom.

Behind me, I hear the click of the main door latch and I sense the presence of another. And then a female voice, empathic and gentle, whispers: “Do you want me to turn on the light?” Suddenly, the nave is bathed in radiant luminosity and the gloriousness of Jesus and his angels manifest before me … and I gasp.

How to describe in words the overwhelming feeling of bearing witness to one of the most beautiful religious artworks I have ever seen? As I meet Christ’s eyes, Calvary-sky blue, I realize I am also looking into the very face of Duncan Grant himself.