Incorporating Key Design Elements into your Artwork
The use of colored glass to make decorative windows dates back to ancient Rome. From Medieval times great cathedrals commissioned large stained glass windows that would visually share biblical stories with the public.
One type of stained glass windows that we will look at is Rose glass. Gothic Rose glass windows are circular stained glass windows found in Gothic architecture (12th-16th century), specifically churches and cathedrals. Their designs are colorful and radially symmetrical. Shapes and colors are repeated and often create a pattern with a gradient effect. While Rose glass windows rely on radial symmetry, other stained glass windows use reflection or mirror symmetry from left to right or top to bottom. All of these windows tell a story and the shape and layout must be considered when reading that story either vertically, horizontally or in a circle.
Symbolism is a key characteristic in stained glass windows and is represented in the color, imagery, symmetry, and number of sections. Symbolism is found partly within the imagery they hold and partly in the geometry of the window itself. It shows how the different parts of the story all contribute to the whole. If one element of the design is absent the symmetry is broken.
Watch this video to learn a bit about the history and methods of stained glass!
Historically stained glass windows were used to share the stories of the bible with the public through visual images because at the time many people were unable to read. Because of the strong need to convey specific stories, feelings and ideas, these designs utilized specific tools such as symmetry, layout, symbolism in color, representation of objects and ornamental design to emphasize the glory and euphoria of the experience.
Figure 2 shows various events from the bible. The central circle shows Jesus' Ascension, while the outside circles show the Pentecost on the bottom middle, then moving clockwise: Peter and John healing a crippled man, the disciples 'ordaining' seven deacons, Stephen being martyred, Saul converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus, Peter miraculously rescued from prison, Paul preaching in Antioch, Paul preaching in Philippi.
Practice 1 |
Look closely at Figure 2 below and answer the following questions. Can you identify any patterns using shape, line or color? Do the patterns in this design create emphasis in any particular area? Now that you know the story intended for this window, how does the design contribute to the story being told? |
Practice 2 |
Look closely at the tall vertical sections of the stained glass window in Figure 3. Think about the horizontal symmetry (from side to side). If you drew a line down the middle from top to bottom, how would you compare the two sides? What is their relationship to each other? Can you make any guesses about the story being told? What makes you think this? What background elements are used in the overall design? Are there repeating shapes, objects or colors? |
Practice 3 |
Take a few minutes to look closely at Figure 4. What are the key sections of the artwork? How do these sections interact with one another? How do they work together to convey an idea or feeling? Does it tell a story? Does this window’s design create a certain mood or make you think of something specific? What in this design makes you think or feel that way? Can you see the similarities between this and the more traditional stained glass windows we have looked at? |
Symmetrical design influences: Beyond stained glass
Alphonse Mucha was a Czech painter working in Paris during the late 1890's and early 1900's. He is best known for his prints featuring ornate female portraits. He frequently includes radially symmetrical designs in the background. These designs often create emphasis of the female figure and contribute to the theme of the artwork. In Figure 5 the radial design behind the female figure show a different astrological sign in each circle. The radial symmetry is used to show the cyclical nature of birth, time and resulting zodiac sign. This poster (figure 5) also uses mirror symmetry to create an ornate framework around the central image and provide space for textual elements.
Defined sections, like we have seen in figures 2-5, are a great tool for exploring themes that have a cyclical nature like the progression of events in a story, the four seasons or Zodiac signs that correlate with the alignment of stars with the earth rotation. In your own artwork you might use this process to elaborate your idea into readable parts.
Another way to utilize this method is to use the symmetry and separate sections as a guide, in which your final work uses to create balance and meaning without actually showing rigid lines and sections. Contemporary artist James Phillips creates colorful and intriguing work that is inspired by African spirituality and traditional designs, which meld with his own designs to create a cohesive artwork.
The symmetry in Phillip's work is evident, but you don't see the stark lines separating section like what is seen in the work of Mucha or the stained glass windows. However, you could almost go over Phillip's work with a black marker and trace out the symmetrical sections of patterns and symbols. His compositions are busy and full but also balanced because of the underlying symmetry.
Studio Practice
Radial Symmetry: Gothic Rose Glass Design
Brainstorming activity: Using the Rose Glass Brainstorming Worksheet brainstorm patterns for your own rose glass design. Think about what objects or symbols you might like to include as well as pattern and gradients.
After you have completed your brainstorming worksheet follow along with the video below:
This is a quick and easy process that allows you to practice radial symmetry, and can also be used to create mirrored symmetry by creating a design for half of the paper and only transferring the design once with one fold. After you know the basics for creating symmetrical designs and understand the tools that can make your designs more meaningful, you can begin to add these designs into your artwork to give them rich visual merit!
Vocabulary
Gothic architecture Churches and cathedrals from the Gothic period (12th-16th century). Large stained glass windows, tall vaulted ceilings, sharp and detailed decorations.
Radial symmetry a design that is symmetrical (mirrored) no matter where the division line falls through a central point. If you turn the image on the table, it looks the same as it spins around.
Pattern a repeated set of shapes, lines or objects
Gradient a gradual (slow) transition (change) from one color or shape to another.
Symbolism in art is the use of a visual element or image to convey an idea, relationship or specific object(s).
Cyclical occurring in cycles such as the months on a calendar or the hours of the day.
Lesson Plan and Worksheets
Sources
Alphonse Mucha
Learn more about the artist! https://www.alfonsmucha.org/ , https://youtu.be/8Gfn8l9BmWE
James Phillips
Learn more about this artist! http://www.jamesphillips-artist.com.html , https://www.blckprism.com/black-artist/james-phillips
Images
Figure 1 image credit martie1swart
Figure 2 image credit TheRevSteve
Figure 3 image credit TheDazDanks
Figure 4 image credit fortunae2002
This is a very interesting lesson! Some other historic/cultural uses of symmetry that this reminded me of are Islamic art and the sand mandalas of Tibetan Buddhism. I think including more varieties of symmetry and having a less specific approach to the studio practice (ie options of different forms of symmetry to emulate, exposure to different patterns) could strengthen this lesson even further!
I have always been interested and amazed by stain glass art. The first time I really learned about stained glass in art and architecture was in high school. We viewed lots of examples of stained glass being used in architecture, but I was not too satisfied with the way my teacher taught. With this lesson though, I feel like I have learned a lot more, or at least have bettered my understanding of the history of stained glass.