Glasgow University commemorative medal

Medal commemorating 500th anniversary of founding of the University of Glasgow. Inscribed obverse: "University Glasgow MCCCLI-MDCCCLI Via Veritas Vita" (with coat of arms); reverse: "Nicolaus V Pont. Max. Univ. Glasg. Condidit. A.D. VII ID IAN AS MCCCLI" (with portrait bust of pope). Designed by the artist Walter Pritchard.

Stained glass, mural and decoration artist, painter and teacher who in 1940 married the stained glass artist Sadie McLellan. He was born in Dundee, his father a photographer, and was educated at Florian's Venice, Italy and in Munich, Germany. In 1927, he gained his diploma from Dundee School of Art, winning a scholarship and travelling scholarship. He was a stained glass instructor at Edinburgh College of Art in the 1930s, becoming an assistant in the design and crafts department of Glasgow School of Art, 1947-8, was in 1953-4 made senior assistant and retired 1970-1. Among his notable students was Fyffe Christie, at the School in 1946-51, who assisted Pritchard on a big mural for St Francis-in-the-East, Bridgeton, Glasgow. He had earlier completed four windows for the New City Chambers, Dundee. Pritchard, who listed religion and poetry among his recreations, did much work in Catholic churches, including a painted ceiling at St Columbkille's, Rutherglen. Pritchard exhibited at the RA, RSA, Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts and SSA.

Gifted to GSA by the University of Glasgow, November 1951.

Stained glass, mural and decoration artist, painter and teacher who in 1940 married the stained glass artist Sadie McLellan. He was born in Dundee, his father a photographer, and was educated at Florian's Venice, Italy and in Munich, Germany. In 1927, he gained his diploma from Dundee School of Art, winning a scholarship and travelling scholarship. He was a stained glass instructor at Edinburgh College of Art in the 1930s, becoming an assistant in the design and crafts department of Glasgow School of Art, 1947-8, was in 1953-4 made senior assistant and retired 1970-1. Among his notable students was Fyffe Christie, at the School in 1946-51, who assisted Pritchard on a big mural for St Francis-in-the-East, Bridgeton, Glasgow. He had earlier completed four windows for the New City Chambers, Dundee. Pritchard, who listed religion and poetry among his recreations, did much work in Catholic churches, including a painted ceiling at St Columbkille's, Rutherglen. Pritchard exhibited at the RA, RSA, Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts and SSA.

Thought to be bronze.
Dimensions: 63 mm diameter

Referenced in GSA Board of Governors report, November 1951.

Published