The Creation of the Firmament

Opaque glass mosaic, designed by William Blake Richmond, executed by Messrs Powell of Whitefriars, completed between 1896 and 1904

Brief description: mosaic spanning the wall above arch with two distinct spandrel areas, the semicircle of the sun with rays at the centre, and inscribed “FIAT LVX ET FACTA EST LVX”, the background with swirls ranging in colour from gold to purple, against a light blue background; on the left and right side of the arch an angel with red and golden hair, their wings and dress in similar colours; the angel on the left balances the world on his outstretched right hand, the angel on the right mirrors his gesture and holds a circular shape symbolising the dark firmament and stars; inscriptions on golden background in both spandrels of the arch: on the left “NVMERAT MVLTITUDEM STELLARVM OMNIBVS EIS NOMINA VOCANS”; on the right “CÆLUM ET TERRAM MARE ET OMNIA QVAE IN EIS SVNT”

Related quotes:
Genesis 1:3 “dixitque Deus fiat lux et facta est lux” (Vulgate); "Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light." (NRSV)
Psalm 146:4 (Psalm 147:4 in NRSV) “qui numerat multitudinem stellarum et omnibus eis nomina vocans” (Vulgate); “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.” (NRSV)
Psalm 145:6 (Psalm 146:6 in NRSV) “qui fecit caelum et terram mare et omnia quae in eis” (Vulgate); “who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them” (NRSV)

Browne 1896, p. 4: “In the two years from Easter 1894 to Easter 1896 the other parts of the Choir have been decorated, down to the cornice.” [Browne does not describe these in further detail.], ibd., p. 10: ”The spandrels in the westernmost bay will have on the north side the beginning of the creation, when the earth was all but without form and void, and on the south side Adam and Eve and the Tempter in Paradise.”