Art history : Stained glass in medieval Europe
Stained-glass art not only dazzles the senses but has been used for centuries to tell stories. The rich jewel-toned colors cast an array of shades in the sunlight. Complex fragments of glass are pieced together like a puzzle to produce an intricate pattern to amaze the eyes and make a visual statement.
Artist and metalworker Theophilus, a 12th century German monk, described in his text, “On Diverse Arts”, that he studied glaziers and glass painters at work. His purpose was to present comprehensive instructions for creating windows of “inestimable beauty.”
Taking sand and wood ash, the mixture was melted into liquid, and then cooled to become glass. The glass was colored with powdered metals while the glass was still molten. The molten glass was shaped, cut down the sides and was then flattened into a sheet.
In Medieval Europe, stained-glass artists illustrated ideas and suggestions. Brilliant windows of influence were created for grand cathedrals. The breath-taking glass filtered light and depicted biblical scenes of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and the many Saints. For the many individuals who could not read, the stories seen in the windows were an effective way for the church leaders to educate people about their religion.
One of the most delicate art forms, a large amount of the stained-glass art created in medieval times has been destroyed. However, considerable amounts of Europe’s medieval glass still survive. Some of the earliest and most superb stained-glass art can be found in Canterbury Cathedral.
The scenes depicted in the windows at Canterbury Cathedral have been noted to be quite mystifying and are so high they can be difficult to view. This collection of stained-glass art has been dated ranging from 1175 to 1500. Two medieval panels are displayed in the Tree of Jesse window in the Corona. The two panels are images of King Josiah and the Virgin Mary.
