Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Eglise Saint-Sulpice de Fougères (detail) 1919

Editor: This detail is from a stained-glass window, "Jesus and the Samaritan Woman" created in 1919 by Ludovic Alleaume. It is part of the Église Saint-Sulpice de Fougères. The abstracted cityscape feels somewhat dreamlike to me. How would you interpret this work, especially given the artist's choices in composition and the material itself? Curator: From a formalist perspective, consider the interplay of light and color achieved through the glass medium. Notice how the artist manipulates the lead lines, not merely as boundaries, but as integral components defining the composition's structure. The stylized landscape elements—the layering of colors depicting the sky, the hills, and architecture—contribute to a sense of depth. Editor: The limited color palette is quite striking as well. Was this typical of the period or the artist? Curator: Indeed, the restricted range— primarily blues, whites, and muted greens— enhances the contemplative mood. The color choices could be referencing earlier, medieval stained glass traditions with its emphasis on symbolic color rather than naturalistic representation. How do the textures and varying opacities of the glass itself contribute to your interpretation? Editor: It's fascinating how the varying light qualities influence how we perceive the artwork and its meaning. Thank you for pointing out how its composition gives it unique significance! Curator: It has been a pleasure to highlight how the aesthetic elements generate unique visual meaning for this image.