Stained glass window 1877 - 1880

Curator: Here we have a stained glass window crafted between 1877 and 1880, currently residing here at the Met. It's attributed to Daniel Cottier. Editor: My initial impression is of controlled wildness; it’s both meticulously ordered in its geometry and luxuriantly organic in its floral depictions. Curator: Indeed. Cottier was a key figure in the Aesthetic Movement, and this piece beautifully illustrates its principles. Notice the integration of fine art and decoration. Stained glass was, of course, traditionally a component of ecclesiastical architecture. Its presence in a domestic setting spoke volumes about aspiration, of aesthetic refinement permeating all levels of society. The window is part of a larger trend, it reveals something important about production for new markets of luxury goods, available for new consumer classes. Editor: The symbolic weight of the flowers is undeniable, echoing themes common to Victorian floral symbolism. Roses, daisies, morning glories, their presence isn’t accidental; each choice contributes to a layered visual language that whispers secrets about love, innocence, and fleeting beauty. It is very common on this age using flowers for romantic proposal through the depiction. Curator: The manufacturing process would also be interesting to note. Each piece of colored glass was cut, painted with grisaille details to achieve shading and definition, and then leaded together to form the whole composition. Consider also that its decorative function provides both aesthetic beauty and the practical application of admitting or restricting the admittance of sunlight to a room. The leading functions almost as important as the glass pieces themselves in constructing the structure and form of the design. Editor: Thinking about the gothic elements it also calls to mind medieval illuminated manuscripts, not only in its radiant colours but its emphasis on symbolic elements. This stained-glass medium translates a sense of age and tradition while depicting contemporary scenes. What message was Daniel Cottier trying to create with these images for us to look back on so many years later? Curator: The labor involved and skill employed remind us that these windows represent significant cultural capital. Understanding its materiality opens up our ability to decode and appreciate a whole system of craftsmanship. Editor: Looking closely and listening opens the possibility to feel echoes from other times! Curator: Precisely. This piece represents not merely art, but design, production, labor, and aspirations. A fascinating convergence!