Stained Glass in England During the Middle Ages (Hardcover, Reissue)

Stained glass is arguably the most appealing of the achievements of the medieval craftsman, synthesizing monumental painting with the best of medieval architecture, but it is also the least-understood of the medieval arts. Drawing upon recent research in English medieval art-historical studies, "English Medieval Stained Glass" is a comprehensive survey of the art and business of producing stained glass windows, intended to both stimulate further research and to heighten awareness of the need to preserve this fragile art form. It considers stained glass in relation to architecture and other arts and, by examining contemporary documents, it throws valuable light on workshop organization, prices, patronage and iconography. Stained glass attracted outstanding craftsmen who were in the forefront of the main artistic innovations in English medieval art. Their significance is highlighted in this study which also makes use of the plentiful documentary material which throws light on workshop organization and practice, the role of patrons and the important contribution made by stained glass to our knowledge of medieval religions, beliefs and cults.