Evidence of stained glass windows have been documented in British monasteries as early as the 7th century, with the earliest known reference being 675 AD when Benedict Biscop commissioned French workmen to create the stained glass for the windows of the monastery of St Peter.

Who made the first stained glass?

The earliest known reference dates from 675 AD when Benedict Biscop imported workmen from France to glaze the windows of the monastery of St Peter which he was building at Monkwearmouth. Hundreds of pieces of coloured glass and lead, dating back to the late 7th century, have been discovered here and at Jarrow.

Why was stained glass invented?

The purpose of most windows is to allow a view of the outside and admit light into a building. The purpose of stained glass windows, however, is not to allow people to see outside, but to beautify buildings, control light, and often times to tell a story.

What country is known for stained glass?

Although the technique of making stained glass had been known since before the Middle Ages, the practice of decorating churches with stained glass windows became widespread in the territory of what is today Sweden first from the 1230s.

How was old stained glass made?

During medieval times, stained glass windows were made from a combination of sand and potash (wood ash). These two ingredients were heated to the point where they’d liquify and become glass when cooled. In order to color the glass, powdered metals were added into the molten (heated) mixture before it cooled.

What is the most famous stained glass window?

Here, then, are some of the most famous works of stained glass in the world.

• Stained Glass of St.
• The Windows of Sainte-Chapelle (Paris, France)
• Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum (Justice, Illinois)
• Glass Windows of the Grossmunster (Zurich, Switzerland)
• The Skylight at the Palau de la Música Catalana (Barcelona, Spain)

Is stained glass a dying art?

Rarely, do we see colorful buildings, painted with the vibrancy of life like we do in cathedrals or churches through stained glass. In year’s past, stained glass was used to tell the stories of many, by painting pictures on glass windows, constructed ever so delicately and precise.

What does stained glass represent?

The Meaning Of Stained Glass Colors On Stained Glass Green: Is the color of grass and nature and therefore represents growth and rebirth, life over death. Violet: A bold color symbolizing love, truth, passion, and suffering. White: Is a representation of chastity, innocence, and purity is often associated with God.

What was the purpose of stained glass in Gothic cathedrals?

They were particularly important in the High Gothic cathedrals, most famously in Chartres Cathedral. Their function was to fill the interior with a mystical colored light, representing the Holy Spirit, and also to illustrate the stories of the Bible for the large majority of the congregation who could not read.

Why do Catholic churches have stained glass windows?

Besides showing Biblical scenes, stained glass windows were also prized for the way light shown through them, creating interesting sights within churches. Indeed, stained glass windows are utilized in Catholic churches to help bridge the gap between the earthly and the divine.

Where is the largest stained glass window?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest stained glass window in the world resides in Justice, Illinois. The window is located in Resurrection Cemetery which is most popularly known for being the haunting site of Resurrection Mary, a hitchhiking ghost that hangs out at the cemetery’s gate.

Which of the following is a famous example of stained glass?

Notre Dame, Paris. Aside from its famous French Gothic architecture, this venerable cathedral contains some of the most iconic stained glass in the world. Pictured here is the South Rose Window—a gift from King Louis IX of France—which was designed by Jean de Chelles and Pierre de Montreuil.

What is Chartres cathedral known for?

Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral, located in the Centre-Val-de-Loire region, is one of the most authentic and complete works of religious architecture of the early 13th century. It was the destination of a pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin Mary, among the most popular in all medieval Western Christianity.

How is glass for stained glass made?

Glass is made by fusing together some form of silica such as sand, an alkali such as potash or soda, and lime or lead oxide. The color is produced by adding a metallic oxide to the raw materials. Copper oxide, under different conditions, produces ruby, blue, or green colors in glass.

How was glass cut in medieval times?

The procedure may have involved dipping a small sphere of molten glass into a molten uncoloured glass and blowing this into a cylinder form (the cylinder blown sheet process) which was then cut into sections and flattened in an annealing oven.