Contemporary design has come a long way since the turn of the new millennium. Some elements have been phased out but many others have come out strongly. One of the more modern styled design elements that have taken the world by storm is stained glass decors.
However, stained glass is far from a completely new item that was just introduced into our world. In fact, stained glass history dates back to more than 1000 years before today and has rich influences on both culture and society.
About Stained Glass
Glass is special in the sense that unlike other solid materials, it actually boasts a transparent nature and looks more like a form of solidified liquid than the standard opaque solid substance in the first place. Perhaps it is this very property that has made men so intrigued by it over the years. In addition, due to the structural makeup of glass itself, it is very much possible to color the pieces with techniques that age as far back as 1000 AD.
The end result of the fine work put in by the artisan is not really a full piece of glass that is stained in a manner such that a picture is depicted on it. Rather, the stained glass piece is actually made up of many different tiny stained glass pieces, held together by a tad of lead in between to form up an amazing picture at the end. It is not so different from jigsaw puzzles if you need an analogy. Viewed from close, it is actually possible to see the fine, black lines in between the various pieces. However, viewed from far, a gorgeous picture soon greets the observer’s eyes.
An Art Lost And Found
A secret technique closely guarded by those within the church’s circle, the art of creating stained glass was soon revealed to all by the monk, Theophilus, in 1100 AD. His writings opened a whole new page in stained glass history and spurred a new generation of artists who were to use this technique to create beautiful pieces of art. No longer was stained glass a mere tool for symbolizing a religious building but it had now become a means for artists to express themselves as well. A blemish in stained glass history soon followed this.
The art of creating stained glass was lost after that period and the feature became much less popular among people of the world. It wasn’t until the Victorian age did we again see the rise of this beautiful art-piece and a revitalization of stained glass history. It was also this time period that many regard as the golden era in stained glass history. Stained glass not only gained prominence worldwide, but began to make its way into residential homes and even as standalone structural pieces of art. The late 15th century saw a decline in the popularity of this amazing technique and it was not to gain popularity again until the modern era.
Today, stained glass artwork can be found nearly everywhere as we turn a new page in stained glass history. If there is anything to go by from what we have learnt, it is that stained glass appreciation will never die out. |
