In the early 19th century, art and social critics such as John Ruskin and Augustus Charles Pugin took a look at the nondescript nature of spartan medieval churches (which suffered widespread destruction during the Reformation) and called for a new aesthetic in architecture, claiming that "the beauty of things reflected the hand of God like a mirror." Nowhere was the guiding principle of what later came to be known as the Gothic Revival better evidenced than in the magnificent stained glass windows created by the extraordinary team of Heaton, Butler and Bayne. Pacific Northwest independent filmmaking legend Karl Krogstad brings his trademark slightly twisted sensibilities to bear on this loving homage to/retrospective of the works of the prolific stained glass master trio who became partners on March 26, 1862, set up shop at 14 Garrick Street in London's Covent Garden area, and between themselves and their heirs flourished for nearly a century. Combining interviews with scholars, various caretakers, and family descendants, along with sidetrips into architectural history, a look at glassmaking, and--a Krogstad flourish--a mock commercial for stained glass ties, Stained Glass Masters offers more than most people would want to know about Heaton, Butler and Bayne (and the name of the triumvirate is spoken repeatedly by interviewees in almost religiously adulatory tones). Still, the beauty of the glass speaks for itself, and one needn't be a specialist to appreciate these works. Recommended, with reservations, for larger art collections. Aud: C, P. (R. Pitman)
Stained Glass Masters: Heaton, Butler and Bayne
(2000) 58 min. $24.95. Karl Krogstad. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 15, Issue 5
Stained Glass Masters: Heaton, Butler and Bayne
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: