The Art of Glass in Canada 

Stained glass is perhaps Canada's most widespread public art radiant creations illuminate public buildings in virtually every city and town of this vast country.Canadian studios began at least as early as 1856,   founded by European-trained artists in Québec and Ontario. Windows were often commissioned from  England,  France, Germany and the United States, along with a few other European countries. Collectors have acquired windows dating as far back as 1533.  

Today, artists and crafts people in every province continue the ancient tradition in styles ranging from the medieval and Victorian, to 20th century modernism, naive and folk art, and the avant-garde.

The Institute has undertaken a multi-year photographic survey of Canada's curiously overlooked treasures in glass.  Our inaugural 2008 project,  sponsored by the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation, reveals  Stained Glass in Saskatchewan.

In 2010 and 2011 we added sections on British Columbia and Manitoba. Only seven provinces to go! cana

da glass art

Angels and Demons  slide show:   a small green stained glass demonWe found only a few "real" demons  in stained glass,  including this scaly green monster made in 1170 for Troyes Cathedral in  France.  These days demons are usually symbolized by snakes and dragons.  Angels are still Angels.

 

 

 

 

All photos ©  2012 Patrick Burns and ISGC unless otherwise indicated.

     theologia, queen of all learning

                                                                                                      Theologia, Queen of All Learning (detail) 

                                                                                                                  Henry Holiday  of Morris & Co.   London, 1893                                                                                                                                       Bryce Hall, University of Winnipeg

    canadian flyer circa 1918       a stained glass window of geese at sunset      louis riel's proclamation

100  Glimpses of Canada

First Published Survey of Canada's Stained Glass

Saskatchewan Feature

86 buildings in 30 locations with Google Maps

    Manitoba Feature

    62  buildings in 17 locations 

 

      

                                                                                            

                      British Sailing Ship                     

                   British Columbia Feature                    

                              53 buildings in 7 locations        

 

        Interactive 3-D Interior Panoramas:

        Notre Dame de Bon Secours Chapel, Montréal (1771)                                

           Shrine of  Saint Anne de Beaupré,  near Québec City  (1926) (1926)                                

             3D photos courtesy Jean-Pierre Lavoie  ©  2012