THE STAINED GLASS OF GOTHIC CATHEDRALS

Painting with Light

Key

During the Gothic period, cathedrals were built all across Europe with the underlying intent of bringing a sense of the Divine Light of God experientially to the worshippers.

In this tour we will visit Catholic cathedrals from various cultures or locations. I will note what is special about each massive work of architectural magnificence and share glimpses of their particular example of “painting in light”. 1. Paris, France

2. Bavaria, Germany3. Chartres, France

4. Toledo, Spain5. St. Etienne, France6. Reims, France7. Canterbury, England

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The Basilica of St. Denis is located in a suburb of Paris. Built in the 12th century, this Basilica is said to be the first Gothic structure in the Rayonnant style.

The Basilica of St. Denis

When Abbot Suger got the idea to place large stained glass windows high above the worshipers, he is attributed with starting the move to “paint with light” throughout Medieval Europe.

As with many of these cathedrals, St. Peter’s in Regensburg was damaged by fire and then reconstructed (12th century) in the High Gothic style. Even with all the wars in Europe, it somehow managed to keep some of its beautiful medieval stained glass intact.

St. Peter’s Cathedral Regensburg Bavaria Germany

Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France, was completed in 1260 and is considered to contain the most beautiful stained glass examples of the Gothic period.

Chartres, France

Started in the 13th century, this cathedral is located in Spain. It looks similar to those in France, yet you can see the Moorish influences at work. If you notice, it looks shorter and fatter than the French buildings. On the left is the stained glass windows, located high above to fill the space with sunlight. The center photo is of the cloisters, which look so inviting that they had to be included.

The Cathedral of Toledo, Spain

It is interesting to think that this Gothic cathedral was started when Columbus was sailing for America! Construction spanned over one hundred years; however it was started in 1492. Notice the unique Gothic interior with the curving stairway.

St-Etienne-du-MontParis

As with many European cathedrals, Reims has had several churches on this site; however, the present structure was constructed in the late 13th century and is where the Kings of France were crowned. The cathedral sports a beautiful rose window and intricate sculpturing on the exterior, which has been called a masterpiece of High Gothic facades.

Notre-Dame de Reims

We have all heard of the Archbishop of Canterbury! Built in the Gothic Perpendicular style, Canterbury Cathedral (the oldest in England) has some of the finest stained glass in Gothic Europe. There are many window panels that tell stories of the Bible as well as the stories of the times. To the left is the journey of the Magi and to the right is the Penance of King Henry II (for Thomas Beckett, a powerful political story of its own.) King Henry VIII closed down the monastery in the 14th

century when he rebelled against the pope and turned England into a Protestant country, but it continues to this day as a place of worship.

Canterbury Cathedral, England

Photo Sources

Title Page: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/canterbury-stained-glass-photos/slides/h-8225c

Slide 2: Introduction http://maps.google.com/

Slide 3: St. Denis, Paris Left and center: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/paris-st-denis Right: http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/france/paris/stdenis/stdenisdetails.html

Slide 4: Regensburg Cathedral, Bavaria Germany http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/regensburg-cathedral

Slide 5: Chartres Cathedral Left: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/chartres-cathedral Right: http://www.images-photography-pictures.net/Chartres_Cathedral_France.htm

Slide 6: Cathedral of Toledo, Spain Left and center: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_Toledo Right: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/toledo-cathedral

Slide 7: St. Etienne, France http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/paris-st-etienne-du-mont

Slide 8: Notre-Dame, Champagne-Ardenne, France http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/reims-cathedral

Slide 9: Canterbury Cathedral, England Left: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/canterbury-stained-glass-photos/slides/h-8225c Right: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/canterbury-stained-glass-photos/slides/h-8225c Center: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canterbury_Cathedra

Fred S. Kleiner, and Christin J. Mamiya. Gardner’s Art Through The Ages A Concise History of Western Art. Boston MA:Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2008.

Regensburg Cathedral. Sacred Destinations. 16 March 2010. <http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/regensburg-cathedral>

The History of Canterbury Cathedral. 16 March 2010. <http://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/history/history.aspx>

The History of Stained Glass. The Art Glass Association. 16 March 2010. <http://www.thestorefinder.com/glass/library/history.html>

Toledo Cathedral. Sacred Destinations. 16 March 2010. <http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/toledo-cathedral>

Informational Sources