No one really knows when stained glass was first invented because it happened before people really recorded history. However, some historians reckon that it was first used as an extravagance in the homes of wealthy Romans in the first century AD. Stained glass was eventually acclaimed as an art form in the fourth century as Christians started to worship openly and to construct intricate churches in which to celebrate their religion.
On the other hand, some historians demonstrate that there are signs in pre-Christian ruins that suggest that pagans used stained glass in their rites. Although we will probably never really know the start of stained glass, it is fairly clear that the spread of Christianity is directly related to the spread of use of stained glass.
The Gothic Era commenced in the 12th Century and stained glass windows became an essential element in the design of cathedrals. It really all started with the pioneering style of the St. Denis, France, where stained glass windows were used to convey light into the church itself and into the minds of its worshipers. Sadly, most of the stained glass in the St. Denis Cathedral was destroyed in the course of the French Revolution, but there are a few pieces left and even some complete windows on exhibit in Europe.
Gothic style stained glass was composed of strong lines, but these increasingly went out of fashion as the Renaissance commenced. During the Renaissance, artisans depicted better detail and more delicate colouring in order to add to the realism. Stained glass windows became more like paintings on glass than architectural features and some of the prominent elements such as lead lines disappeared. Because of the problems in expressing the great detail essential to the Renaissance period, the old style, which was original stained glass more or less died out.
In view of the fact that stained glass was used mostly by the Catholic Church, much of the work was destroyed during the reign of King Henry VIII after his split with the Pope. However, not only old stained glass windows were destroyed, but many of the glass making works were destroyed as well. However, religious strife was not the only cause of the decline of stained glass.
The style of the Baroque period was for more detailed murals, which necessitated the use of clear glass. Therefore, many of the remaining stained glass windows were permitted to decay, and furthermore not many new stained glass windows were produced. In the late 17th century, the public mood returned to the Gothic style of architecture, which produced a renewed interest in stained glass windows.
Artisans continued to paint directly onto the glass at first, but later tried to emulate the old leaden frames of medieval times. However, given that the original techniques had not been used for such a long time, they had become forgotten and the artisans of the period were unable to recreate the exact styles prevailing in Gothic stained glass.
During the 19th century, La Farge and Tiffany created new variations of stained glass. La Farge was interested in window designs, while Tiffany went into new areas like the Tiffany lamp shade.
Nowadays, stained glass artists are not limited by religious doctrines, although much of the work they do involves restoration. Modern stained glass is also used as the centre pane in front doors, especially uPVC doors, by rich and poor equally in the West.
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with Waterford crystal vases. If you have an interest in Irish crystal or wedding rings, please go to our website now at White Gold Claddagh Ring