Glass Design with Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist 1595

This glass design with Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist was made by Hans Kaspar Lang the Elder in the 17th century. As a design for stained glass, the work serves a didactic purpose. It uses the cultural currency of religious imagery, but it does so within a specific social context. It was made in Germany, a place and time of profound religious division, with the rise of Protestantism challenging the dominance of Catholicism. Lang’s design reflects this tension, its style harking back to earlier Renaissance models, seeking to reaffirm traditional religious values amidst social upheaval. The inclusion of Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist, both important figures in Christian theology, would serve to reinforce religious doctrine. Historical resources, such as church records and theological texts from the period, help us to understand how this glass design participates in the religious and social debates of its time. Therefore, this design isn't just a beautiful object; it is a cultural artifact, reflecting the complex interplay of religion, society, and artistic expression in 17th-century Germany.