France / c. 1480
Stained Glass Panel with Male Donor
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Stained Glass Panel with Male Donor as glass (France · c. 1480).
The brilliant colors of this stained glass panel were produced by adding different materials to molten glass, creating a reaction that resulted in specific colors. The metal supports for the individual pieces of glass are made from pot metal, an alloy, or mixture, of copper and iron.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this glass as pot metal, white glass with silver stain.
The museum's collection notes: The origin of these stained glass panels is unknown. They depict a male and female donor, presumably husband and wife, who gaze upon a now-lost central panel. The object of their devotions was likely a crucified Christ or a standing figure of the Virgin Mary. The man, dressed in armor, and the woman, wearing a bejeweled and richly embroidered gown, are accompanied by their coats-of-arms (unidentified). They are undoubtedly members of an aristocratic elite who commissioned these windows, perhaps for a family chapel.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtStained Glass Panel with Male DonorOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.