Danse de fiançailles detail 1885

Luc-Olivier Merson's 'Danse de fiançailles' is made with stained glass, a medium that has deep roots in both sacred and secular spaces. Glassmaking has always been labor-intensive, requiring skilled artisans to produce and assemble the colored panes. Here, the colors aren't merely applied to the surface, but are integral to the glass itself, achieved by adding metallic oxides during the molten stage. This creates a rich, luminous effect as light passes through. The lead came, which holds the pieces together, forms a dark network, defining the composition. The choice of stained glass is significant. It elevates the depicted scene, imbuing it with a sense of history. Rather than canvas and paint, Merson has chosen a medium associated with cathedrals and grand civic buildings, to create a durable, light-filled image. Considering the materials and processes in which 'Danse de fiançailles' was made, we gain insight into its cultural significance and the values associated with skilled craftsmanship. This challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.