History of Stained Glass
The history of stained glass began a long time ago and it has also varied from one country to another. In fact, stained glass has evolved over time and at various stages new means of creating such glass were developed and different countries and different artists used their ingenuity to come up with better solutions. Both stained glass and the process by which it is made has changed according to skills of the artist who has managed to create works that have been appreciated and which have changed our impression of the History of Stained Glass.
Stained glass-gradual development
In the beginning, creating stained glass was not a concept but the process of making such glass had to develop gradually until the process could be perfected. The history of stained glass obviously began after the discovery of methods to create glass and after that many new discoveries were made that have ensured that today we can use stained glass in different ways including in bottles, windowpanes and even in paperweights.
Beautify glass
After discovering how to make glass it did not take long before the need to beautify the glass was felt and this is how the term stained glass was coined. In the beginning, minerals were used for staining the glass which helped in creating artworks and decorative and attractive windows. The early history of stained glass therefore can be seen as being a period in which the building blocks were laid that have helped us in creating more beautiful artworks today.
First appeared in France and Germany
Stained glass first made an appearance in the tenth century when scenes from the Bible were shown in churches in France and in Germany. The scenes that were depicted in the early stained glass items were used as a means to educate illiterate people. Churches were transformed into cathedrals during the Gothic age and stained glass windows were widely used in the cathedrals of the time. Artists found it necessary to use stained glass instead of clear and plain glass and this is how the early history of stained glass unfolded.
During the eighteenth century, amateur artists as well as historians found a new meaning in stained glass and this is when another important stage in the History of Stained Glass took shape. The Bolton Brothers who emigrated from Britain were the first artists to create stained glass in America. Soon, these brothers were able to transform the history of stained glass by coming up with superior stained glass works.
Their work was continued by John LaFarge who developed excellent stained glass works for private homes and churches across America. Tiffany is a respected name in the history of stained glass as he was able to market his stained glass items which were well received.
These days, artists are able to create outstanding stained glass products. People like Louis Comfort Tiffany have changed the history of stained glass and his legacy is being carried on by his ancestors who continue to produce excellent and outstanding items of stained glass.
