Stained glass

The term "stained glass" today generally refers to glass that has been colored by added metallic salts during its manufacture. For example, using the metal copper would produce green or blue glass. The molten glass is then annealed slowly in a furnace to produce sheets of colored glass. Early stained glass artists were limited to a very few primary colors, but today almost any color can be produced.

If fine details such as shadows or outlines are required, the artist paints them on the cold glass with special paint made from metal oxides. The piece is then fired in a kiln. This process is, in itself, an art. The oxides permanently fuse with the glass to produce the painting. This is where we have derived the term "stained glass".

These colored glasses are available in many different textures—smooth, wavy, rippled, hammered, pebbled, or very rough. These different textures cause the glass to have light and color transmission characteristics that, even for the same color, can provide surprising results. Stained glass is sold by weight, in sheets, usually about 3' x 4'.

Stained glass windows involve the art of cutting colored glass into different shapes. They are shaped by grinding and then fitted into channeled lead strips, which are also called came. Or the copper-foil method is used, in which each individual piece is wrapped around its edge with a copper adhesive tape. Once assembled, the pieces are then soldered together and installed in a frame to create a window. Chemical patinas may be added to the came and solder to even-out color variations or to emphasize details. Emphasis may be achieved by choices in came or foil width.

Begun in Eastern Asia and among Muslim designers, the art of stained glass reached its height in the Middle Ages, particularly 1150-1250. As the solid Romanesque wall was eliminated, the use of glass could be and was expanded. Integrated with the lofty verticals of Gothic cathedrals, large windows afforded greater illumination that was regarded as symbolic of divine grace.

In the nineteenth century, Romanticism and the Gothic revival caused renewed interest in stained glass. Important contributions to the art were made by William Morris (English, 1834-1898), Edward Burne-Jones (English, 1833-1898), John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) and Louis Comfort Tiffany (American, 1848-1933).

Historians have long argued about whether La Farge or Tiffany invented the copper-foil alternative to lead came, but Tiffany is universally credited with developing an opalescent colored glass and with making extensive use of copper-foil in windows, lamps, and other decorations.

Stained glass is an art and a craft that requires the artistic skill to conceive of the design and the engineering skills necessary to assemble the piece so that it is capable of supporting its own weight and (for a window) surviving the elements.

After centuries of repetition and little innovation, stained glass underwent a major renaissance of form. The impetus for this new modern glass was the restoration of thousands of church windows throughout Europe, destroyed by World War II. German artists led the way, notable artists include Ervin Bossanyi, Ludwig Shaffrath, Johannes Shreiter and many others who transformed an ancient art form into a contemporary art form.

Today there are few academic establishments that teach the traditional skillset. One of those establishments is Florida State University's Master Craftsman Program who recently completed the world's largest secular stained-glass windows installed at Doak Campbell Stadium's Bobby Bowden Field. More info at Master Craftsman Program