Glass Fragment
Unknown Artist
15th century
Medium
Colorless glass
Dimensions
Overall: 2 15/16 x 2 3/16 in. (7.5 x 5.5 cm)
Classification
Glass-Stained
Culture
French
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Dr. Bashford Dean, 1923
Accession Number
23.229.6-4
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass fragment, hailing from 15th-century France, a tantalizing glimpse into the luminous world of medieval stained glass. Measuring just 2 15/16 x 2 3/16 inches (7.5 x 5.5 cm), this colorless piece—classified as stained glass—likely originated from a grand Gothic cathedral window, where such fragments once formed vibrant narratives in light. Crafted by an unknown artist during the late Middle Ages, it exemplifies the era's masterful glassworking techniques, possibly involving silver stain or enamel painting that has faded over time, allowing natural light to play through its tra...