Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

Decorative art has been coevaI with the
building of the first places of worship, and
1t has been natural and happy conse-
quence that in the splendid temples through
out the world devoted to Christion worship
art finds its grendest and most noble de-
velopments. Cathedrals and churches stand
today as monumental evidences of the best
artistry of this era and of centuries gone.
Not only have the artists and architects OF
this century profited by the acumen of those
that have gone before them, but have shown
an originality all their own that in time
to come will take it's place along with the
more noted periods of design. Washington
Is now experiencing a remarkable impetus
In ecclesiastical building. and an important
feature of this development is found in the
windows. This feature Of church decora-
ton is as old as religion itself, and 1t is
notable that the scholars of such notables
as Raphael, Vandyck, etc, practiced the
art of decorative window making.
To begin at the remotest period 1t is said
that white glass of extreme purity was best
known to the Chinese as long ago as 23OO
B. c., and out of this astronomical lenses
were made. Psychologists claim that at
least 5000 or 5000 years ago the Egyptians
made jewels of glass In some of the most
ancient tombs have been found scraps of
glass In deliberate imitation of rubies and
emeralds, sapphires and other precious
stones, and it is well known that 'bedes'
are as ancient as praying. The Greeks and
their Roman successors made glass in imi-
tation of agate and onyx, and also devised
colored glass coated with white glass; which
was much used in later medieval windows
OF the use Of glass In windows, there is
not very ancient mention, the climate of
Greece or Egypt and the way Of life there
giving scant occasion for it. But at Hercu-
laneum and POmn9H there have hpen found
fair-sized slabs of window glass. apparently
cast, and probably at no time very translu-
cent. In the basilicas of Christian Rome the
arched window openings were sometimes
filled with slabs of marble, in which were
percings to receive glass (Which may or
may not have been colored), foreshadowing
the tracery of early Gothic builders. The
windows of early medieval churches were
often filled in this Roman way with plaques
of stone pierced with circular openings to
receive glass.
Another Roman practice was to set panes
of glass in bronze or copper framing, and
even in lead. and hence is found the begin
ming of the practice identified with early
medieval glaciers. 1t is also said that
the ancients pacticed glass painting we
understand 1t. Discs Of Greek glass are
stated to have been found which had been
painted, but not with color fused with the
material. The very early Christians were
not In a position to indulge in Injuries such
as stained glass windows but st. Jerome
and st. Crysostom make allusion to them 1t
is pretty certain, however, that these must
have been simple mosaics In stained glass,
implanted.
Stained and painted glass may possibly
date back to the reign of Charlemagne
$780, but it can be safely sati~not to have
occurred earlier than the Roman empire.
couple Of hundred years later mention is
made of it rather frequently in church rec
ords. and there is one particular account
Of the furnishing of the chapel of the first
Benedictine monastery at Monte Casino |
with whole series of windows in 1866 The |
Cistercian interdict, restricting the order to |
the use OF white glass Q13Q would seem to |
indicate an ecclesiastical overindulgence in |
rich windows before the middle of the next |
century. But the general consensus of |
opinion seems to have been that there is |
comparatively little that can be incontro- |
vertibly set down even to the twelfth CEN
fury. The early Gothic glass belongs to the |
early glass is spoken of it is usually the
thirteenth century that Is meant.
There Is fable to the effect that the |
origin of glass dates from the building of |
the tower OF Babel, when Gods fire from |
heaven vitrif1ed the bricks employed by it's |
too presumptuous builders. From ancient |
Egypt probably the art of the ancient glass |
worker found it's way to Phonecia. thence |
Venice and eventually France, where |
stained glass windows first occur this being !
due to a colony of Venetian glass workers
who settled at Limoges in $40. The Oldest |
glass to which definite date can be as |
signed is that at ST. Denis, France Q10S), |
but its value has been almost nullified by !
expert restoration. In Germany the oldest !
date is ascribed to some old. windows at
Augsburg, executed by the monks of Teg- |
ernsee about the year 1000. The oldest re- |
mains of glass in England are said to be |
in the nave Of Yorkminster, while the more |
important windows at Canterbury, Sails |
bury and Lincoln are of the thirteenth CEN |
tury.
1t will be of interest to learn that in the |
early period the terms "glazier" and glass |
painter were synonymous, due probably to |
the mental caliber of those engaged in this !
work. When an artist in colored glass is |
commissioned to execute a window he is |
either furnished himself draws up a de- |
sign, and on it's being accepted he hands in |
another to the wholesale glazier for so |
many different shades and sizes of glass.
and it is the placing of these that his artis- !
tic skill must find it's highest DEVELOPMENT |
Literally speaking there are two distinct |