Raam met gebrandschild glas, plaat XXII 1827 - 1829

Charles Onghena created this print of a stained glass window. Onghena, born in the early 19th century, lived during a time of significant social and political upheaval in Europe. This print offers us a glimpse into the world of stained glass, a medium historically used to tell stories, often biblical, to a largely illiterate public. Yet, it also adorned cathedrals, reinforcing the power and prestige of the church. Here, we see a series of vignettes, each a snapshot of human activity. Gender roles are subtly reinforced, with men often depicted in positions of authority or action, while women may be shown in domestic settings. Consider how artisans like Onghena, through their craft, participated in shaping cultural narratives. This window, whether real or imagined, reflects a society grappling with tradition and modernity, faith and reason, power and submission. It serves as a reminder that art is never neutral, always carrying the weight of history and the potential for shaping our understanding of the world.