Stained glass

Through their radiance, church windows transformed light into the symbolic expression of God. At times blazingly bright, at times eerily gloomy, windows depicting biblical scenes or the figures of the saints made a strong impression on their observers.
Records such as those written in the 12th century by the monk Theophilus Presbyter provide information on how stained glass was made in the Middle Ages. Glass panes dyed with metal oxides were put together like a mosaic and connected with lead cames. Up until c. 1300, only black stain was available for the fine inner drawings, later colours such as silver stain and sanguine were applied to clear glass panes.
Over the course of the Gothic period, the windows greatly began to increase in size, and stained glass soon surpassed mural art in importance. In Cologne, stained glass experienced its heyday in the 13th and 14th centuries – one of the main projects being the windows of the cathedral.
In the 16th century, stained glass experienced a renaissance in Cologne and the Netherlands when Grisaille glass panels became popular for the decoration of private homes. An especially high-quality example of this is the allegorical glass depicting law and mercy.

Stained glass depicting Jesus putting a crown on Mary. Above them is depicted an angel, below them two praying people.

Coronation of the Virgin Mary, Cologne, c. 1250-1260, stained glass, 91.1 x 48.2 cm, Inv. No. M 3, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

In the center of the stained glass Mary lies with closed eyes. At her bedside are people with Jesus in their midst. Under her bed are depicted two praying people.

Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Cologne, c. 1250-1260, stained glass, 88 x 45 cm, Inv. No. M 2, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Stained glass depicting on the right an old man with a sword in his lap. To the left of him kneels a young man praying.

St. Stephen, Cologne, c. 1280, stained glass, 64 x 57 cm, Inv. No. M 524, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

The stained glass shows two angels. One has two drums at waist level. The other plays on a flute and on a drum above his shoulder.

Two Angels Playing Music, Northern France or Cologne, c. 1325-1330, stained glass, 70 x 52 cm, Inv. No. M 22, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Small window with various illustrations of the ten commandments.

Ten Commandments Window from the Carmelite Church in Boppard, Middle Rhine, c. 1440, stained glass, 380 x 249 cm, Inv. No. M 596, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Stained glass window depicting Mary with the infant Jesus on her lap along with the Magi.

Adoration of the Magi from the Sacristy of the Ratskapelle (Council Chapel) in Cologne,
Cologne, 1474, stained glass, 270 x 175 cm, inv. no. M 594, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Church window on which is depicted the crucifixion of Christ.

Crucifixion Window from St. Laurentius in Cologne, Cologne, before 1489, stained glass, 320 x 181 cm, Inv. No. M 501-15, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Window image of Mary. A floating dagger is pointed at her heart.

Our Lady of Sorrows, Lower Rhine, c. 1490-1500, stained glass, 87 x 47 cm, Inv. No. M 522, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Window image of Mary. A floating dagger is pointed at her heart.

Man of Sorrows, Lower Rhine, c. 1490-1500, stained glass, 86 x 47 cm, Inv. No. M 523, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Window illustration of Jesus in front of a cross. A lance is stuck in his chest.

Tobias Drawing the Fish from the Water, Master of Tobias, Bruges, c. 1500, stained glass, Ø 26.40 cm, Inv. Nr. M 702, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

The stained glass shows several praying women. Above them stands a woman with a halo. In her hand she holds an organ.

St. Cecilia, Cologne, 1525-1530, stained glass, 68.5 x 67 cm, Inv. No. M 706, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Stained glass depicting a man on horseback dressed as a monk. He is facing men who bow to him.

Scene from the Altenberg Cloister Cycle: St. Bernard Preaches in Germany on the Crusades and Heals the Sick, Cologne, c. 1520-1530, stained glass, 103 x 90 cm, Inv. No. M 568, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

Round glass pane in whose center three men are standing. The man in the middle sits naked in front of a tree and has put his hands together. The left man wears a robe and hat and has raised his index finger. The right man has put his hand on the shoulder of the naked man.

Glass Panel Depicting the Allegory of Law and Mercy, Cologne, c. 1551, stained glass, Ø 30 cm, Inv. No. M 695, © Rheinisches Bildarchiv

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