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Mourning Female Saint (1425-50) |
"The 15th century saw an increase in ecclesiastical construction and a related growth in the amount of stained glass produced. It also witnessed the development of a number of national and regional styles." The picture above was taken at the Virginia Fine Arts Museum in Richmond, Virginia. The image is of a unidentified saint, however, skeptics believe that it is possibly the Mary Magdalen.
Colored glass had been produced since early civilization. Both the Egyptians and the Romans made objects with colored/later stained glass. The exact origin of when, where, and even by whom glass painting began is unknown. “More than three thousand years before the birth of Christ, somewhere in the eastern Mediterranean, this translucent, light and decorative material was first created and endowed with magical associations.[1] The expansion of the glass industry was stimulated by the Romans. They began to become fascinated with its decorative and functional styles. Soon, Rome became a settlement to glass-makers due to the high demand of glass and later painted glass. However, for the most part, “the domestic use of glass was more common in Roman Empire.”[2]
The usage of decorative glass windows would appear in Christian churches as early as the fourth centuries.[3] Stained glass had its spiritual appeal along with its origins. “In Geneses, the first words spoken by God are Fiat lux, “Let there be light.”[4] Stained glass as an art form reached its height during the Middle Ages. This was due to artists using the glass to produce stories of the Bible. Later the Acts of Supremacy and the Protestant Reformation led to the fall of stained glass in churches.
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Example of English Medieval Stained Glass |
COMPONENTS
The three basic glassmaking ingredients are silica, alkali, and alkaline earth. Also, sand and wood ash was used.
GLASS FORMING
The invention of the blowpipe in the first century made for the production and the amount of time to be more effective. There were two methods for making sheets of glass. The first method is the cylinder/muff. This method consists of a blowing technique. An “cylinder shape or muff. The other method, which is crown, is a spinning method where the sheet of glass is shaped to be round. At the end of the process, “all glass must undergo a special annealing oven, called a lehr.”[5]
The components of sand and wood ash would be mixed and then melted into a liquid. The substance would then be cooled which would in return form glass.
PROCESS OF STAINED GLASS
The process of stained or painted glass will begin with a sketch from the artist (the sketch was known as the “vidimus” during medieval times). The term means “we have seen.”[6] Artist’s sketch is first drawn to scale, then a full-size is made. Prior to the availability of paper, “the full size drawing was made on a whitewashed table that was used for cutting and painting glass, as well as for putting the finished window together.”[7]
There were many techniques and methods for the making of glass and then the stained glass window. Each artist had there own unique and particular methods. The most famous individual at the time with the most used method of techniques of making stained glass was a German monk who adopted the pseudonym, Theophilus. His description of making glass was not much different than any other. Glass was made by melting sand and potash together. It was then colored by using metallic oxides. Copper was used for red, iron was used for green, and cobalt was used for blue.
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| Illustration of a medieval glass-house in operation |
There were many techniques and methods for the making of glass and then the stained glass window. Each artist had there own unique and particular methods. The most famous individual at the time with the most used method of techniques of making stained glass was a German monk who adopted the pseudonym, Theophilus. His description of making glass was not much different than any other. Glass was made by melting sand and potash together. It was then colored by using metallic oxides. Copper was used for red, iron was used for green, and cobalt was used for blue.
The production was later revised due to the colors being too dark for light to shine through. Glass makers would reduce the amount of colored layers to allow for light to shine through clearly.
Paper at the time was scarce so artists would sketch out their design on a white table top. Then the artist would arrange the pieces of glass with each particular color wanted when the time came to produce the image on the window.
Also, at the time, the artist never made their own glass. It was usually purchased by a middle-man and rarely from the glass-house/manufacturer itself. Theophilus’ account of the techniques and making of glass are not credited to him. By the time he wrote his descriptions on the process, the art form of stained glass was already flourishing in England.[8]
"For the human eye is not able to consider on what work first to fix its gaze;...if it regards the profusion of light from the windows, it marvels at the inestimable beauty of the glass and the infinitely rich and various workmanship."[9]
(From Brown & O'Connor's Glass-Paiters: Quote taken from Theophilus' The Various Arts)
ENGLISH STAINED GLASS
“For many years, scholars stated that stained glass had little artistic value.”[10] However, stained glass always was popular with churches. It depicted church and spiritual scenes. Stained glass windows were admired for its beautiful depictions of life and everyday scenes at the time.
ORIGINS IN ENGLAND
“The Golden Age” of stained glass in England is associated with the years 1100-1530. Stained glass has early beginnings in England. It has evidence of appearing during the Anglo-Saxon period. “However, it is only from the late 11th century onwards that we find large stained glass windows anywhere in Europe.”[11]
STAINED GLASS & CHURCHES
STAINED GLASS: THE REFORMATON AND COUNTER-REFORMATION
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Hengrave Hall |
Opposition of the Roman Catholic Church during the sixteenth century brought a dramatic decrease and later an end to the appearance of art (in this case, stained/painted glass). The Protestant Reformers did not want the usage of any form of art to be in the church. “Stained glass windows were broken and images of the saints were destroyed. The destroyed windows that once had religious. Content were replaced with clear glass windows or painted windows with non-religious symbols. Out of the Reformation, the style of art known as the baroque was developed under the Catholic Churches. The fall/decline of the presence of stained glass in England is during the sixteenth century and the Reformation.
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One view of windows in Canterbury Cathedral |
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL STAINED GLASS
The first major collection of stained glass in England was the Canterbury Cathedral. The stained glass in the Canterbury Cathedral were a part of the finest as well as the earliest in Europe. It is one of the most famous Christian buildings in England. The cathedral was home to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the leader of the Church of England. The Cathedral possesses glass from twelfth to the twentieth centuries.[12]
Also, view, English Stained Glass by Painton Cowen (beginning w/ page 93)
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Depiction of Adam in Canterbury Cathedral |
Interesting Fact: The oldest stained glass window in the cathedral is of Adam that dates back to 1180 AD.
YORK MINSTER
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Example of Thornton's work |
York Minster's stained glass is form the twelfth to the twentieth centuries. Amongst the glass art inside are the painting on the fifteenth century east window. These paintings were by John Thornton of Coventry.[13]
For more info: beginning w/ page 42 of Painton Cowen's English Stained Glass
CONSERVATION & PRESERVATION
“The survival of the works of the medieval glass-painters will depend on the skill and the craftsmanship of todays conservators.”[14]
The term conservation is associated with the “growing importance given to stained glass within the broader study of medieval arts and society.”[15]
The term preservation is associated with methods of keeping and cleaning the artwork or maintaining the glass to keep its original features. Restoration is also a term given to preserving the art.
The restoration and repairing of stained glass began early and dates back “at least 900 years.”[16] Importance of restoration vs. the fall of medieval stained glass have their own association and are not really linked at all. The fall of the art was not linked to the fact that the glass could not be restored, but rather, related to “vandalism and religious upheavals.”[17]
Rainwater was a main element that tended to cause the glass to decay quicker. Water also served as a way to remove any alkali (a material/component that goes into the process of forming stained glass). However, the main thing to take into consideration in relation to conserving stained glass is that “the way each glass ages depends on its composition and its environment.[18]
For an interesting read and further information as to the preservation and conservation of medieval stained glass: "The Conservation and Restoration of Medieval Stained Glass Windows by Gel-Plating" by Allan A. Mills
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