Stained Glass Windows: The Room with a View

Oriental Knight

The Oriental Knight has caused much controversy and speculations over the past hundred years since Jesse had his own features used for the face. Many people have claimed different reasons for why Jesse had put his face on the Oriental Knight. Some claimed this proved Jesse was against militarism. Others claimed this proved that Jesse preferred Eastern religions to conventional religions. Still others claimed this proved Jesse was interested in mysticism.

Another view is that this window is basically Jesseís signature. Jesse had the Villa Montezuma built firmly, to last longer then his lifetime. Although he had portraits and photographs of himself, he knew they could be lost, damaged, or destroyed. So he decided to use the centuries old custom of including his likeness on one panel. This was his way to leave his image for future generations in case anyone would want to know who built the Villa Montezuma.

Beethoven

When Jesse planned the stained glass windows to beautify his cultural home, he chose to illustrate the many aspects of music through six different inspirational and lively representations that would reflect his own strong ideas, feelings, and beliefs.

One of the representations he chose was Beethoven. Jesse chose Beethoven for numerous reasons. Jesse felt that Beethoven was one of the most talented composers, and the most dynamic and personal person to him. Beethoven was always a constant inspiration to Jesse knowing that this man had created masterpieces even when he was completely deaf.

Jesse would usually include a movement from his symphonies in his concerts. Jesse often followed his pattern of disciplined structure and form in his own music, since he considered Beethoven the master of precision.

Summer and Autumn

Summer is shown wearing a brimmed bonnet as protection from the hot sun, with a light scarf wrapped underneath her chin so she can bend and snip flowers collecting them in her basket.

Autumn is wearing a kitchen cap and apron as she reaches up to pick fruits to fill her basket with a great harvest for her season. Her design is so lifelike, one can imagine she is getting ready to bake a pie or home can fruits for nourishment during winter.

Both windows are placed in the dining room as the best place to show peaceful personifications of the summer and autumn harvest seasons.

Jesse chose these representations of seasons because it reminded him of his pastimes in the mid-Western parts of the United States where he grew up.