The Stained Glass Windows in Arezzo
Arezzo, one of the most fascinating cities in Tuscany, preserves a unique treasure: the artistic stained glass windows in Arezzo housed in its Cathedral, a gem that enriches the Italian stained glass tradition.
Nestled in a natural pass through the Apennines, Arezzo boasts pre-Etruscan origins and played a crucial role during the Etruscan and Roman eras. However, the city reached its zenith in the Middle Ages, leaving behind a historic center rich in medieval palaces and Gothic details. The mullioned windows and pointed arches of its buildings reveal an ancient tradition, often adorned with leaded glass featuring diamond or scroll patterns. But to truly admire the finest stained glass windows in Arezzo, one must step inside its Cathedral.
The Cathedral of Arezzo and Its Artistic Heritage
The Cathedral of San Donato, begun in 1277, combines Romanesque and Gothic elements. Its sandstone façade, completed only in 1914, is sober yet majestic, with marble decorations concentrated around the central portal. Inside, the Cathedral houses masterpieces such as the Magdalene fresco by Piero della Francesca (circa 1460) and the baptistery painted by Giorgio Vasari in 1548.
However, this article focuses on what makes the Cathedral truly unique: the stained glass windows in Arezzo, masterpieces that narrate sacred stories through light and color.
Guillaume de Marcillat: The Master the Stained Glass Windows in Arezzo
Among the prominent figures of Arezzo’s stained glass art is Guillaume de Marcillat, a French master glazier born around 1470. After moving to Italy, Marcillat established himself as one of the most refined interpreters of stained glass art, working for the Cathedral between 1519 and 1525.
He created five extraordinary stained glass windows in the southern nave, depicting biblical scenes such as:
- The Baptism of Christ
- The Calling of Matthew
- The Resurrection of Lazarus
- Jesus Cleansing the Temple
- Christ and the Adulteress
Vasari described Marcillat’s stained glass as a work of great mastery that enhances the distinctive features of stained glass while closely emulating the effects of contemporary painting. Marcillat, also a painter specializing in frescoes, succeeded in this challenge, a feat where many painters failed, thanks to his exceptional skill and ever-evolving knowledge of stained glass techniques.
Modern Stained Glass by Ascanio Pasquini
In addition to Marcillat’s Renaissance works, the Cathedral of Arezzo features modern stained glass windows by master glazier Ascanio Pasquini, created in the 1950s. Pasquini, a native of Arezzo, contributed to the Cathedral’s renewal with new windows that replaced those damaged during World War II.
Pasquini’s creations, located in the apse, represent a perfect synthesis of tradition and innovation. With their modern language, they keep the ancient art of glass alive, enriching the Cathedral with an extraordinary harmony of light and color.
A Timeless Treasure
The stained glass windows in Arezzo are not only a local treasure but also a fundamental contribution to Italian stained glass art.
I would like to conclude with a detail that struck me the most during my visit to the Cathedral of Arezzo: the beautiful face of Saint Cecilia, painted with such mastery and delicacy by Marcillat.
If you enjoyed this journey into the stained glass of Arezzo, you might also appreciate the stained glass windows preserved in the Certosa di Pavia. For those who wish to delve deeper, here is a page dedicated to the history of stained glass.
