Joshua and William Price

Glass painters Joshua (d.1722) and his son William Price worked on stained glass in Westminster Abbey. Joshua was the son of William Price (died 1709), glass painter, and his wife Anne (Cranley). Baptised in 1672 he worked with his father. His last work, in 1722, was on the north transept rose window of the Abbey showing figures of Christ, the Apostles (except Judas Iscariot) and Evangelists, based on designs by Sir James Thornhill. This glass was unfortunately cut down during the late 19th century redesign of the window tracery by J.L. Pearson. (The illustration from a book of 1812 shows its original form).

His son, William Price the younger (died 1765) also worked in the Abbey on the west window in the nave. The design for this was probably sketched out by Thornhill before his death and shows Abraham, Isaac and Jacob with representatives of the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the date 1735. At the base are the Royal Arms with other coats of arms.

Further reading

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004

The full size cartoons for figures in the north rose window by Thornhill still survive in Chinnor church, Oxfordshire

Occupation

Artist

Location

Nave; North Transept

Material Type

Glass

Joshua and William Price
North Transept Rose window before alteration

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library

Image © 2024 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

Joshua and William Price
West window in the nave

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library

Image © 2024 Dean and Chapter of Westminster