Amazing Stained Glass Windows

Also known as ‘The Good Lord’s Lantern’, Metz Cathedral, with its 6500 m² of glass walls, showcases a perfect combination of the three distinct eras of stained glass windows that developed in Lorraine.

The first set to be created by a renowned artist, was by Herman of Munster on the Western façade. It dates back to the end of the 14th century. However, two thirds of the remaining glass windows date back to the Renaissance period and mark the first golden age of stained glass painting, a clever technique similar to easel painting, including works by Thibaut of Lixheim, and most notably, Valentin Bousch. Originally from Alsace, he was responsible for painting a large share of the Cathedral’s stained glass windows with his renowned workshop.

This kind of strong influence and creativity, would only return in the 19th century, the second golden age, with the rise of the biggest glass painting workshop in France, Laurent-Charles Maréchal’s workshop. The Prussian invasion of Metz and the German annexation caused the downfall of the workshop which had restored the Metz Cathedral’s main glass windows between 1842 and 1872, and had made new stained glass windows for the choir and the bishops chapel.

We can also admire some stunning contemporary creations: The Blessed Sacrement Chapel is decorated with the stained glass windows of Jack Villon (1957), with dazzling colours, which you have a great view of from the outside at twilight. Bissière’s stained glass windows (1959), above the side entrances, are like mosaics with colds tones, bluish on the north side and orange on the south side. Marc Chagall added to the reputation of the Cathedral with his stained glass windows inspired by the Old Testament (1962-69).

For the eighth centenary, the State made a public request to create modern glass windows. The Korean artist Kimsooja, won the public contest and is the one who made the triforium stained glass windows in the Saint Nicolas Chapel. Kimsooja employed an innovative technique, using a nano-polymer film which disperses the natural light.