French, Reims
Fragments from Reims Cathedral, 18th century
Stained glass, 54.5 x 34.5 cm (21 7/16 x 13 9/16 in.)
This stained glass panel is vertical and rectangular with the fragments varying in size, shape, and color. There are fragments that are red, blue, green, brown and yellow. All the fragments are separated and pieced together by thick black metal. One fragment in the upper center of the panel and one other fragment on the outer edge of the panel's right side are both tan colored with a face in the glass. The fragment in the upper center area shows two eyes, a nose, lips, and strands of straight hair on the left side. The fragment on the outer edge shows one eye, half of a nose, and curly hair extending from the top of the head down along the right side.
Chinese Loggia
Commentary
These pieces of stained glass were gathered by Chester Howell, an ambulance driver during World War I after the German bombardment of Reims Cathedral on September 19, 1914. The French cathedral was still in ruins more than three years later when he gathered these. They were later set into this panel by American interior designer Henry Davis Sleeper.
Both Sleeper and Gardner supported ambulances in World War I, principally through the American Field Service (AFS) founded by their mutual friend A. Piatt Andrew to provide medical support to French, and later American forces. Both Sleeper and Gardner supported the organization; Sleeper with fundraising and administrative support, and Gardner financially.
Gardner installed the panel in the Chinese Loggia where it serves as a colorful memorial for the destruction of cultural landmarks during World War I.