Het Gastmaal bij Simon te Bethanië c. 1515 - 1520

This roundel, 'Het Gastmaal bij Simon te Bethanië,' shows a biblical scene rendered in stained glass by an anonymous artist. Its translucent surface hosts layers of carefully applied pigments, which build up the composition detail by detail. The process begins with selecting and cutting pieces of glass, tracing the outlines of figures and forms onto the glass with a dark, enamel-like paint known as ‘grisaille.’ The glass is then fired to fuse the grisaille permanently to the surface, and layers of translucent colored enamels are added to give depth and richness. Finally, details such as facial features, folds in drapery, and ornamentation, are enhanced using fine brushes. The skill of the artist lies not only in their painting ability, but also in their mastery of the material qualities of glass and enamel. By manipulating the density and layering of the pigments, they create a sense of light and shadow that brings the scene to life. The interplay between light, glass and paint elevates this craft into art.