No one actually knows when stained glass was first invented because it happened before people started recording history. However, some historians reckon that it was first used as a luxury in the homes of affluent Romans in the first century AD. Stained glass was eventually acclaimed as an art form in the fourth century as Christians started to worship candidly and to construct elaborate 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 important element in the design of cathedrals. It really all started with the novel 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. Unfortunately, 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 entire windows on display in Europe.
Gothic style stained glass was composed of strong lines, but these gradually went out of fashion as the Renaissance commenced. During the Renaissance, artisans showed greater detail and more delicate colouring in order to add to the realism. Stained glass windows became more like paintings on glass than architectural elements and some of the notable elements such as lead lines disappeared. Because of the problems in expressing the great detail essential to the Renaissance era, the old style, which was true stained glass almost 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 fashion of the Baroque era was for more detailed murals, which meant the use of clear glass. Therefore, many of the remaining stained glass windows were allowed to fall into disrepair, 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 fascination in stained glass windows.
Artisans still tried to paint directly onto the glass at first, but later tried to imitate the old leaden frames of medieval times. However, since the earlier methods had not been used for such a long time, they had grown to be forgotten and the artisans of the period were unable to reconstruct the exact designs used 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.
These days, stained glass artists are not restricted by religious styles, although much of the work they do involves refurbishment. Modern stained glass is also used as the centre pane in front doors, especially uPVC doors, by rich and poor alike in the West.
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many topics, 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