by Kimberley Heit

Created on: May 13, 2008   Last Updated: December 23, 2011

The Stained glass art movement, in Europe,  reached its peak during medieval times. During this time virtually every place of worship from modest churches through to magnificent cathedrals featured stained glass. Stained glass involves using colored window glass to form a picture or pattern.

The stained glass artworks from medieval times weren't just about creating a pretty picture. These window displays were pictorial displays that promoted religious ideals. The Christian church was the main client commissioning artwork in medieval times. In Europe at this time churches were growing grander and grander. Followers believed that the inside of a church should feel like a beautiful holy realm. Stained glass played a large part in creating this realm.

When a church was constructed during the medieval period, special consideration was given to the architecture of the building. Windows were considered a crucial part of the buildings design. This was to allow for stained glass art rather then the purpose of allowing light in.

Stained glass from the medieval period illustrated various stories from the bible. They depicted Jesus, the Virgin Mary and other saints and biblical characters. The window closest to the altar held the highest status so it was the most intricate and prominent piece. It was common for there to be an image of Christ or the Virgin Mary in the eastern part of the church.

Stained glass artworks commissioned for cathedrals were the largest and most magnificent pieces. However, the images tended to be quite simple and unrefined unlike some later stained glass work. Typically used colors were red, green, yellow and blue.

Theophilus, a 12th century German monk wrote about how stained glass windows was created in the medieval period. Sand and wood ash are combined at a high heat until they liquefy, powdered metals and colors are added to this mixture. Thins sheets of glass are then made from this mix.

The colored glass was then arranged on a design board. Iron was placed around panels to support them, these panels were then soldered together to create the whole image. A putty substance was applied between all of the joins to ensure that the window would be waterproof. Sometimes if subtle work was required, the artist would directly paint details onto the glass.

The sheer size of some of the stained glass displays required that the images be broken into many sections with iron frames supporting them. Due to this technique many stained glass windows have survived from this period and are able to enjoyed by many today. In regions like Western Europe they are the predominate form of artwork from medieval times that is still in existence.

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