Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes (one of a set of 12 scenes from The Life of Christ) 1520 - 1535

This panel, depicting the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, was made in the 1500s by Jan Rombouts, using colored glass, vitreous paint, and silver stain. As you can see, the imagery is achieved by combining different colors of glass, pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle. Fine details are then added using paint, and a silver stain to create the yellow highlights. The work demanded not only artistic skill, but also deep knowledge of the material properties of glass, and how it behaves under heat. The production of stained glass in the Renaissance was a highly specialized craft, involving teams of artisans working in workshops, and the medium was closely associated with religious institutions and aristocratic patrons. Rombouts's stained glass work elevates a practical medium into an aesthetic experience, imbuing it with cultural significance. Considering the materials and making of this panel allows us to appreciate the craftsmanship involved in its creation, and to recognize the social and economic context in which it was produced. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft.