Artwork

pääoven lasimaalausluonnos, Ab Agricola

pääoven lasimaalausluonnos, Ab Agricola, by Allan Schulman
pääoven lasimaalausluonnos, Ab Agricola, by Allan Schulman

pääoven lasimaalausluonnos, Ab Agricola is a drawing by Allan Schulman. It is held in the collection of the Finnish Heritage Agency.

About this work

The handwritten notes say "Glass windows for the main door" in Swedish, hinting these were plans for a church or public building.

This sketch shows two pointed arch designs for stained glass. The left side has a building with steps leading up to a doorway, framed by jagged stone shapes. The right side shows a landscape with trees and a road, also outlined in rough stone. Both designs are drawn in simple black lines on light paper.

The handwritten notes say "Glass windows for the main door" in Swedish, hinting these were plans for a church or public building. The year 1903 appears on the left sketch.

Check out cross-hatching to see how artists create shading with lines.

Overview

The drawing presents two design proposals for stained‑glass windows intended for a main entrance, rendered in simple black line work on light paper. Each proposal is framed within a pointed arch, a form typical of Gothic architecture, and is accompanied by a handwritten Swedish note indicating its purpose as "Glass windows for the main door."

Subject & Meaning

The left composition depicts a building façade with a set of steps leading to a doorway, its surrounding stone rendered in jagged, angular shapes that suggest a robust, fortified entrance. The right composition offers a contrasting scene of a landscape, featuring trees and a road, also outlined by stylised stone forms, perhaps intended to convey a more open, natural motif for the same portal.

Technique & Style

Both sketches rely on straightforward black line drawing, employing cross‑hatching to suggest depth and shadow within the stone and architectural elements. The use of light paper as a ground allows the line work to remain clear and the designs to be easily transferred for further development into full‑scale stained‑glass panels.

History & Provenance

The drawing is dated 1903, as indicated on the left-hand sketch, and includes a Swedish annotation identifying its function. The provenance suggests it was created as a preparatory study for a stained‑glass commission, likely for a church or public building, though the final installation has not been documented in the available records.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Allan Schulman

Allan Schulman spent his days sketching on scraps, the backs of receipts, used napkins, because paper was scarce after the war.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Finnish Heritage Agency open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted pääoven lasimaalausluonnos, Ab Agricola?

pääoven lasimaalausluonnos, Ab Agricola was painted by Allan Schulman.

Where can I see pääoven lasimaalausluonnos, Ab Agricola?

pääoven lasimaalausluonnos, Ab Agricola is held by Finnish Heritage Agency.