Stained glass

Stained glass is a beautiful art made from colored glass.

It can be used for flat windows or even 3D sculptures. People often use the term to describe colorful glass objects like lamps.

These works do more than just let light into a room. Instead, they are meant to control the light. Some people call them "illuminated wall decorations." They can show many things. A church window might tell stories from the Bible. A college hall might show figures of science. A home window might show plants or animals.

Making these pieces requires both art and engineering skills. An artist must first dream up a workable design. Then, they must build a piece that fits its space perfectly. The glass must be strong enough to hold its own weight. It also must resist wind and rain. To make a window, artists arrange small pieces of colored glass. They hold these pieces together using strips of lead called cames. These strips are supported by a rigid frame. Artists also use silver stain to add yellow colors. They might use a dark paint called grisaille to add black lines. This paint is a mix of glass powder, iron, and clay. It is painted on and then fired in a kiln.

Glassmaking has a very long and interesting history. In the Late Middle Ages, many large windows were made. Many of these have stayed intact for hundreds of years. In Western Europe, these windows are a major form of art. They are often studied alongside old, decorated books called illuminated manuscripts. Different cultures have added to this history. From the 8th century, Islamic civilization helped grow this art. They used science in chemistry and optics to improve it. Glassmakers in Syria and Egypt developed new ways to color and decorate glass. Syrian glass is known for beautiful floral and geometric designs.

Creating the glass itself is a very hot job. Makers start with a material called silica. They must melt it at a very high temperature. To help it melt, they add things like potash or soda. To make colors, they add metal powders to the molten glass. Cobalt makes a deep blue color. Copper can make green or a bright red. Gold can make violet or wine-red glass. Sometimes, makers use a method called flashed glass. This is a thin layer of color on clear glass. This is helpful because deep red glass can look black if it is too thick.

There are many ways to shape the glass. One way is called the crown technique. A maker blows a bubble of glass and then spins it very fast. This makes the glass flatten out into a sheet. The center stays thicker and is called a "bull's-eye." Another way is called rolled glass. This involves pouring molten glass onto a table and rolling it with a cylinder. This method began being made for stores around the mid-1830s. Today, many countries still make high-quality glass. This includes Germany, France, England, and the United States. Modern artists still learn from the traditions of the past.