The Art of Stained Glass

The Department of Aube en Champagne is the richest in France with 9000 m² of stained glass dating from the 13^th to the 19^th centuries, including 1500 m² in Troyes cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul alone.

In the 16^th century, at the same time as sculpture, stained glass experienced a tremendous revival in southern Champagne. Troyes dominated as France’s greatest centre for stained glass windows.

Troyes “Holy city of stained glass"

Gothic churches with large transparent bays were embellished with stained glass of intense colours. The new architecture of the 16th century promoted the development of these small vividly coloured pictures illustrating Bible stories, stories from history or even allegories.

Its stained glass windows truly made the city an illustrated book! Between 1480 and 1580, there were no less than 29 glass painters, both designers, restorers and simple glaziers.

Linard Gonthier, master glass maker

After a stylistic period dominated by grisaille embellished with sanguine, a reaction to the previous period of intense colours, the art of stained glass ran out of steam in most towns. But not in Troyes!

From 1595, Linard Gonthier propelled the art of stained glass to its heights. He resumed with bright colours which this time he based on a white background. Among his works, the most remarkable is the “Mystic Winepress” in Troyes Cathedral.