Thursday, September 17, 2009

cologne windows


As it was to be expected, Cologne cathedral has spectacular stained glass windows, some of them are beautifully shown here and here . The one which caught my attention, however, was the “different one”, where no particular figures or symbols were identified:

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Getting closer:

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window views

Such modern art for a gothic cathedral, was my first thought! it was a most amazing surprise during the visit to the cathedral. Thanks to g**gle I now know it is Gerhard Richter's 'Symphony of Light' (finished in August 2007) and that it replaced the southern window , which had consisted of simple unadorned glass ever since the original stained-glass window was destroyed during World War II. I also learned that "The archbishop, who is not opposed to modern art per se, reportedly wanted to have a figurative work, for example with representations of saints or 20th century martyrs, rather than an abstract one". Source. It was not without controversy!!

"The 11,500 squares of glass in 72 colors fill the 20-meter-high window, which was designed by Gerhard Richter, one of Germany's most important living artists. The 75-year-old painter and photographer declared that he was happy the project had been a success, particularly as, unlike his other work, it isn’t intended to hang for a short time but is to be a "window for eternity." " Source

16 comments:

  1. I feel like during my history courses when I went to school in Bonn and then we visited the Dom ! but at that time it was still damaged from the war and didn't look so nice like today !

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  2. It's just lovely! I often don't care for "modern" art - but this one is so tasteful, charming and pretty. Well done, Gerhard Richter.

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  3. Very, very pretty - I like it!

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  4. so stunning, I'll bet to see it in the chapel takes your breath away. thanks for the little bit of history on it. If you want to wander down my road I’m home.

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  5. You know I LOVE figurative stained glass... but in THIS case, I think a figure would detract from the beauty of the window itself... where the mix of abstract color just enhances it! Of course, I do understand the Archbishop's desires... It IS a church after all!

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  6. Well in this day and age I don't see the Church being able to replace it. ;)

    It is very beautiful!

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  7. They are all beautiful. The colors are so intense!

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  8. I love this window! And thank you for including the information about its creation and where it is. I think it's beautiful and could look at it for a long time.

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  9. That is a surprise that the window is modern. I like it!

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  10. Awesome photos Mar...just beautiful :)

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  11. Ah, this "Symphony of Light" is also a grand comment on diversity, is it not? I think it is perfect for the Cathedral.

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  12. It is stunning but I'd probably have thought initially that I'd had some sort of camera error! Pixellation.

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  13. FANTASTIC, Mar! Thanks so much for the link to this. I missed it, and NOW...WOW! It is really Brilliant!! And so are your pictures, my dear. I LOVE the complexity of this window---YET, the simplicity of it, too...! In the late 1960's I did a colorful collage using Paint-Chip Samples that was very much like a "section" of this stained glass window.....This window is TRULY A WORK OF ART!!! How great that you got to see it and to photograph it "Close Up".....!

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