An introduction to stained glass at the V&A

What is the course about?

The Victoria and Albert Museum has one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of stained glass in the world. The course will provide an introduction to the collections. It will follow a chronological format beginning with the earliest glass from the twelfth century, then follow it by looking at later medieval stained glass, the glories of sixteenth century German and French glass, the nineteenth century revival and stained glass in the modern age.

We will look at stained glass from a variety of standpoints such as style, iconography and imagery, its original location (where relevant and known), technique, designers (such as William Morris, Rossetti, Frank Lloyd Wright and John Piper) and function (both ecclesiastical and domestic). Examples will be discussed both from the period rooms, especially the medieval and Renaissance galleries, as well as the specialist gallery.

What will we cover?

• The genesis and collecting of the stained glass collection
• The techniques of stained glass
• Medieval and renaissance stained glass
• The nineteenth century revival of the medium and its relation to the Arts and Crafts movement
• Stained glass in the modern age.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Be provided with an introduction to the stained glass collection
• Be able to Identify key developments in the history of stained glass
• Understand the imagery and iconography of stained glass
• Understand the main techniques
• Understand the genesis of the collection and the rationale behind the collecting of stained glass in the nineteenth century
• Place examples of stained glass within their broader historical and social context.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is suitable both for beginners and those with a specialist knowledge of medieval art. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion and activities.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will be taught with a mixture of guided gallery visits, group discussion and short group activities. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course.

Museum/gallery-based courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between galleries), you will need to be able to walk between exhibits and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to any gallery stools.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in the museum space.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You might wish to buy a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Renaissance art: making, locating and viewing
Medeival and Renaissance art at the V&A
A history of colour in European art
Islamic Art in 25 Objects.