Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire Church
Text: Paul Labonne
Translation: Nathalie Senecal

THE PRUDENT VIRGINS, OR THE PARABLE OF THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH VIRGINS

This window depicts the parable of the Wise Virgins, who await the Bridegroom. The Wise Virgins symbolize Christians waiting for the second coming of Christ, faithfully ready to receive Him. The Wise Virgins have brought oil to fill the lamps which burn all night. Meanwhile, the Foolish Virgins, have allowed themselves to fall asleep in darkness.

This window is a striking example of Nincheri's mastery of the stained glass medium, and is one of his most outstanding works. He brilliantly integrates light, shinning through various shades and thicknesses of glass, as a key element in the telling of the parable. In the background of the window, dawn shines through a starry night sky, while in the midground, the Wise Virgins' faces are lit by the golden glow of their lamps. The Foolish Virgins, in the foreground, are lit only by the subtle light that shines through the dusky blue glass which frames them and their extinguished lamp.

Nincheri used warm colours to represent the Wise Virgins, while the Foolish Virgins are cast in cool colours of nightfall, and are dressed in mauves, violets, blues and greens. He also made good use of the impost which he integrated into the composition. to subtly divide the two scenes. This window displays great beauty and sensuality. The Foolish Virgins are particularly graceful studies of the feminine form.