This article mainly introduces the basic knowledge, production, shooting techniques and cleaning methods of painted glass windows.
What is painted glass?
Painted glass generally refers to two glass decoration techniques. The first refers to enamel glass. In the early days, enamel paintings were often used on the glass wine glasses used in ancient Egypt, and then fused to the glass surface through firing. The second type usually refers to painted glass for windows. According to the window design, the colored glass pieces are cut and made into the required shapes, and finally the glass pieces are integrated and fixed, and then painted in black or white. This is what we call painted glass. glass windows.
The Development of Painted Glass
The origin of painted glass can be traced back to ancient Egypt in 2000 BC. Early glass products were often used for decorative and religious purposes. During the ancient Roman period, glass-making technology was further developed, and painted glass began to be used for architectural decoration. In the European Middle Ages, painted glass was mainly used for large windows in churches. Notre Dame de Paris is a good example of this period. During the Renaissance, the artistic style of painted glass became more delicate and diverse. The painted glass works of this period not only expressed religious themes, but also covered secular themes and natural landscapes. A large number of painted glass works of this period are also preserved in German palaces. after the 19th century. The development of painted glass is also getting better and better. The glass production technology is more delicate and the color remains longer. Artists have also begun to explore new styles, so that painted glass can keep up with the trend of the times. It is mostly used in public buildings and art exhibitions. Although many works of art have been damaged over time, modern protection and restoration techniques have also ensured the inheritance of artworks. In many museums, we can still see these painted works of art that have accumulated through history.
Painted Glass Production Process
First, set a sketch according to your needs, and mark the desired glass color for each part in the sketch. A template is made according to the set drawings. Each glass piece is numbered on the template to facilitate accurate positioning during cutting and splicing.
Then according to the sketch design, select the appropriate colored glass and cut the glass to ensure that the size and shape are what we need. In order to prevent the edge of the glass from scratching the skin, we polish the edge of the glass with a grinding wheel or sandpaper.
Then we put the glass pieces into the pre-made lead grooves, connected and fixed the lead bars with tools, and then used horse nails to temporarily fix the spliced glass to ensure the overall stability. If we want a more detailed pattern expression, we can paint with common pigments such as silver dye and iron dye.
Finally, the painted glass will be fired in a kiln to better integrate the pigment and glass through high temperature. After the firing is completed and taken out, we will assemble the glass pieces into a complete shape and use special cleaning agents to clean the stains to ensure the overall beauty.
Finally, install the completed painted glass in the window frame you want, and then use sealant at the connection to effectively ensure the penetration of rainwater. Every step of making painted glass is so delicate and complicated, requiring enough patience and concentration.
The Era of Painted Glass Windows
Painted glass windows were particularly popular in Europe from the mid-12th to the mid-16th centuries, when they were a prominent feature of cathedrals and ornate residences, especially Gothic churches, including the colorful cathedrals we now search for in Europe. In church spaces, its translucent nature makes painted glass particularly popular for religious occasions. We can see biblical scenes in the windows, undoubtedly expressing a sacred and joyful atmosphere. Those who are interested can search for the Our Lady of Wells Cathedral, whose windows are decorated with painted glass, gorgeous and magnificent.
By 1900, American painted glass was mass-produced and available to almost everyone. Leading home magazines championed lead glass windows for homes, and a nationwide construction boom created unprecedented demand for colored lead art glass windows, door panels and transoms. Window frame and shutter companies introduced mail-order catalogs, some of which offered more than 100 low-cost, mass-produced designs.
Photographing Painted Glass Windows
Photographing painted glass windows is also a skill. Whether it is for self-appreciation or for its historical value, there are professional photographers who are constantly learning to improve their skills and achieve the best photo effects.
For example, windows should be photographed in daylight using color slide film and black and white film in transmitted and reflected light, and important windows should be recorded using positive color film. Photographing painted glass from the inside isn't difficult either, and a sturdy tripod, shutter release cable, light meter, and camera with lens metering will make the job easier. The key is to shoot the windows in even, moderate daylight and darken the interior. While some painted glass is dazzling in sunlight, camera lenses and film react differently to the human eye, quickly balancing the high contrast of light and dark glass.
When we shoot outdoors, we should take pictures on sunny days, away from the sun, shoot the east window in the afternoon, the west window in the morning, the south window at any time, and the north window at noon. The glass should also be photographed from the inside with the reflected light of a flash. While taking photos with a flash will neutralize transmitted light and darken the glass, interior photography is valuable because it can reveal the location and condition of window frames, brackets, guy wires, and other elements. Shoot the window as centered and straight as possible to minimize distortion and prevent the window frame from obscuring detail. Windows should also be photographed from the outside if there is no protective glass to interfere with the view. This is especially important for opalescent glass, which often also needs to be read from the outside. A final note is that to consistently take good glass photos, you must limit the variables (use the same film, camera, and lenses) and record your usual camera settings to compare with the developed photos and next time Make adjustments accordingly.
Damage to Painted Glass
Painted glass, often associated with pictorial scenes and figures on church windows, is often very difficult to preserve. painted glass is particularly susceptible to weathering and condensation if fired incorrectly or if a poor quality mixture is used. Some studios are notorious for poorly fired paints (especially those using opalescent glass), while others have a reputation for durable painted glass. Paint can be cold applied to the glass or fused in a kiln. Since they are made of frosted glass, the enamel will not "fade" as is often said, but will flake off in grainy form. Several steps in the painting process can create brittle paint that can peel easily. If applied too thickly, the paint may not properly fuse with the glass, leaving small bubbles on the surface. This condition, sometimes called "frying," can also be caused by a poor paint mixture or touch-up. A more common cause of paint failure is underfiring (i.e. baking the glass at too low a temperature or for too short a time). Unfortunately, in American painted glass, the enamels used to simulate skin tones often consisted of several layers and were fired at too low a temperature. This means that the hardest features to replicate, the face, hands and feet, tend to peel off first.
Painted Glass Cleaning
Perhaps the greatest advantage of painted glass is that its appearance continually changes with the changing light. However, due to pollution, smoke and oxidation, both sides of the glass can accumulate dirt, soot and grime. In churches, traditional burning of incense or candles ends up depositing layers of carbon. These deposits can significantly reduce transmitted light, making otherwise bright windows appear dull. Simply cleaning the glass removes harmful deposits and restores much of its original beauty, all while carefully inspecting its condition. The type of cleaner to use depends on the glass. First try to clean with water only, and for particularly important glass and museum-quality restorations, use deionized water (which ensures no ionic contamination). If water alone isn't enough, the next step is to use a non-ionic cleaner. Sometimes windows are covered with a yellowing layer of shellac, lacquer, varnish, or very stubborn dirt that needs to be removed with alcohol or solvent. If other gentle methods fail, these coatings can be removed from most unpainted art glass with acetone, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or mineral spirits. All chemical residue must then be removed with a non-ionic cleaner and the glass rinsed with water. Never use acidic, corrosive or abrasive cleaners. They can damage glass.
Painted glass is not only a beautiful decorative art, but also a witness of history and culture. Through it, people can feel the artistic styles and cultural connotations of different historical periods.
