Amidst Destruction The Rose Window Stands As Hope For A New Notre Dame
The Rose Stained Glass Windows Of Notre Dame
As the entire world watched in sadness, the Notre Dame Cathedral burned this week and many common thoughts raced through our minds: the safety of anyone inside, the host of historical relics, artworks, and unparalleled architectural structures that we thought for sure were engulfed in flames or very close to it. For us here at Stained Glass San Antonio, our minds immediately went to the Rose Window and as we looked at the images of the burning spire quickly sinking into that fiery blur, our hearts too sunk, assuming it was lost to time and fire. You see, we are more than just stained glass restoration experts here at Stained Glass San Antonio but also avid stained glass appreciates. And, truly, there is almost no other stained glass window in the world that encompasses the affection we have for stained glass as a beloved artform than–the Rose Window Of Notre Dame.
The History Of The Rose Window Of Notre Dame
This amazing window was constructed in the 13th century during the Gothic period but is easily still relevant to today’s distant world. Whether because of the perfect blend of bold colors (which never go out of style) or the prism-like pattern in which each demure panel is positioned, this window could as just as easily pass for modern as it does for Gothic–a dichotomy that is part of its attraction. However, the Rose Window of Notre Dame was built for threats just like we witnessed this week– by distributing weight equally across a perforated stone wall of traversing apertures–this window is as tough as it is striking. The unique and stalwart structural style also happens to lend itself to making the Rose Window appear much more delicate and fragile than it actually is. As we have written about many times before in our blog–stained glass is, contrary to popular belief, very durable, something we remember each restoration we do and still have yet to fully appreciate ourselves. The Rose Window of Notre Dame–is no exception.
“Although the wooden roof is gone, the vaulted stone ceiling below and the iconic rose windows have been saved, the latter at least surviving in “good shape,” Lt. Col. Gabriel Plus
Knowing the Rose window was built tough and beautiful, is why we have such high hopes still for the Rose Window. While not completely out of the woods yet because of the failing structures surrounding it, our hope that this window will prevail–as it has over the last 700 years: through wars, invasions, plagues, riots, occupations–never failing, always the same. If history offers any hints of the fate of this iconic stained glass window, we know for sure it will endure. True it will be in need of a massive restoration but one full of hope that this piece of religious art will stay intact for scores of generations who have yet to enjoy looking up at a piece of stained glass that represents the human spirit in us all– something that has seen the world change but somehow remains the same.
For inquiries on a of your own, contact us at Stained Glass San Antonio today. We serve all of Texas and numerous other regions across the US and would love to work your church or home stained glass restoration project.
