This exhibit discusses the functions of medieval stained glass for both the medieval and modern church visitor.
Introduction to stained glass
Stained glass had a mystical, even sacred, quality to writers of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries when it was first developed. This section explores their texts and how stained glass was imbued with these qualities.
Drawing the eye to the story
Stained glass in the medieval church has many purposes: to let in light, to instruct the viewer, and to draw the visitor's gaze heavenward. This section explores how stained glass serves to draw the viewer into the story (whether biblical, hagiographical, or social) through size, placement, and color.
Picturing everyday life
Stained glass windows often do more than show biblical stories. They often picture scenes from everyday life - images which would have been intimately familiar to their medieval viewers.
Credits
Dolly Jørgensen, Norwegian University of Science & Technology