Kirkus Reviews QR Code
STAINED GLASS by

STAINED GLASS

By

Pub Date: Oct. 20th, 1976
Publisher: Crown

A virtual cyclopedia of stained glass, regarded not as a flower of the Middle Ages but as a distinct art form with a glorious past and a promising future. Methodically the authors take up glass as a medium, the forerunners of stained glass, ""painting with light"" and the tracery framework, motifs--before examining leading examples century by century, country by country. Chartres and other masterworks claim extended attention, but the broad feature approach sweeps in, e.g., ""The Church That Changed Its Religion"" and others from a less illustrious period. Stained glass aficionados will respond particularly, however, to coverage of the revival that began with the William Morris workshop; spread in the Art Nouveau era (with the work of Gaudi, Horta, Mackintosh, and of course Tiffany); and continues in diverse forms today. Represented are lesser known American examples as well as the contributions of Chagall, Corbusier, et al. The volume is oversize (11 x 15) and heavy, but the large format is justified by the proportions and scale of the illustrations--nearly 500 color photos that well serve their subjects. Concluding sections demonstrate the process of making and restoring a stained glass window, and a gazetteer identifies worthy examples. That twice as many are listed for the US as for France is indicative--though perfectly reliable, this is directed less at the serious student than at the enthusiast.