Stained glass art dates back thousands of years, originating in Egypt in the second century B.C. The Greeks and Romans made mosaics out of pebbles and ceramic glass chips. Mosaic art was widespread in the Byzantine world around the 10th century A.D.

Stained Glass Art in Gothic Cathedrals

But the greatest expression of stained glass was yet to come, in the beautiful medieval cathedrals of Europe. The cathedral of Chartres was built in 1194; Canterbury cathedral in 1178; Notre Dame in Paris in 1163. Stained glass art was used in religious stained glass panels to depict the union of God and man.

In the 20th century, some of the greatest artists chose to work in stained glass art. Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse made stained glass panels. Louis Tiffany (1848-1933) perfected a delicate type of stained glass known as Tiffany stained glass.

The Art Deco movement used the beautiful designs of Louis Tiffany in stained glass art and panels. A milky, translucent stained glass known as opalescent was developed, and stained glass became very popular in private homes and public buildings. Some of the great artists of the 20th century made stained glass art masterpieces which now can be purchased in reproduction.