Stained Glass Suite from a Chapel in Ghent, Belgium
Belgian, mid-19th century
Hand-painted and leaded stained glass with hand-carved stone tracery
Dimensions: 145 × 71 × 8 in. (each window set)
This suite of nine exquisite stained glass windows was originally crafted for a chapel in Ghent, Belgium, during the mid-nineteenth century. Designed in the High Gothic Revival style, these windows combine intricate hand-painted glasswork with meticulously carved stone surrounds, creating a visually arresting ensemble that would have framed the sacred space of the sanctuary and nave.
The three central windows, likely positioned behind the altar, depict pivotal moments from the life of Jesus Christ. The Nativity scene shows the Virgin Mary and Joseph in adoration beside the Christ Child, attended by angels and watched over by the ox and donkey in the manger. The Carrying of the Cross would have symbolized Christ’s journey toward sacrifice, while the Supper at Emmaus captures the moment when the resurrected Christ reveals Himself to two of His disciples in the breaking of bread.
Surrounding these narrative panels are six tall windows that would have lined the nave, each enriched with Gothic geometric tracery and ornamental motifs. These windows served not only as decorative elements but also as visual sermons, elevating the spiritual atmosphere of the worship space through their vibrant interplay of light and color.
Rich in symbolism and craftsmanship, these windows reflect the 19th-century Gothic Revival’s reverence for medieval ecclesiastical art, while showcasing the artisan skill of Belgian stained-glass makers who blended devotional storytelling with architectural splendor.
