Stained Glass of Canterbury Cathedral

Classic survey of one of the greatest achievements of medieval European art, now reissued in a stylish hardback edition.

Today, the stained glass of Canterbury Cathedral is not only world famous; it is also, thanks to a sustained and meticulous conservation programme, a revelation. For the first time in centuries, visitors can appreciate the true vibrancy of its colours and the breathtaking artistry of its compositions.

This lavishly illustrated book, now reissued in a redesigned hardback edition, features the finest of the medieval glass along with notable examples of later glass including Christopher Whall’s Arts and Crafts-style designs and the striking modern work of Ervin Bossanyi. Whole windows, narrative series of scenes and stunning details dating from the twelfth to the twenty-first centuries are featured in this celebration of the cathedral’s world-class collection of stained glass.

In a classic text that is popular with specialists and general readers alike, Dr M. A. Michael, an expert on medieval visual culture, explains the imagery and historical context of the stained glass and reveals how it was made. The Bible and Miracle windows, for example, are examined for their visual linking of biblical stories and representations of ordinary men and women, as well as the unique styles of the artists involved in their production.

A final chapter by Dr Sebastian Strobl, former director of stained-glass conservation at Canterbury Cathedral, tells the fascinating story of early restoration and modern-day conservation at the cathedral, with photographs illustrating the techniques employed and the transforming results.

Essential reading for anyone interested in stained glass windows. 

M. A. Michael is a Professorial Research Fellow, University of Glasgow, School of Culture and Creative Arts. He was previously Academic Director of Christie’s Education Department and has taught at the universities of London and St Andrews. His publications include Piero della Francesca’s Arezzo Frescoes, St Albans Cathedral Wall Painting and The Age of Opus Anglicanum. 

Dr Sebastian Strobl trained as a Master Glazier and later at the University of Cologne wrote his doctoral thesis on medieval stained-glass techniques. From 1990 to 2005 he directed the stained-glass conservation programme at Canterbury Cathedral, before becoming Professor of Stained Glass Conservation at the University of Applied Sciences, Erfurt.