Gabriel Loire

Gabriel Loire (April 21, 1904 – December 25, 1996) was a French stained glass artist of the twentieth century whose extensive works, portraying various persons or historical scenes, appear in many venues around the world. He founded the Loire Studio in Chartres, France which continues to produce stained glass windows. Loire was a leader in the modern use of "slab glass" (French: dalle de verre), which is much thicker and stronger than the stained glass technique of the Middle Ages. The figures in his windows are mostly Impressionistic in style.

Life

Loire was born in Pouancé, France, on April 21, 1904. After completing his schooling in Angers in 1926, he went to Charles Lorin stained glass workshop in Chartres, France; where he worked for 10 years, until leaving in 1936. In order to leave, Loire was required to sign a non-compete agreement stating that he would not design any stained glass for 10 years. In 1946, he founded his own stained glass studio there, which continues under the direction of his son Jacques Loire and grandsons.

He died on Christmas Day, December 25, 1996, shortly after finishing a design for a new window.

The Holy Name Church, Oakley, Fife, (1958), notable features include the stained glass windows and the carved Stations of the Cross are also by Gabriel Loire.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel RC Church, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire (1963). Large window above main entrance, also designed the windows in the octagonal baptistry.

St John's RC Church, Stevenston, Ayrshire, windows depicting biblical scenes, (1963).

He has other works in the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Broomhill, Glasgow (1965). Though the technique here is not of chipped glass but more of painted glass.

St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church For St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church in Vancouver, Canada, Loire created three different commissions: in 1969, a set of six windows dedicated to women in the Bible; also in 1969, "The Great Commission", based on Mark 16:15 "Go ye into all the world"; and in 1981, a set of eight windows based on Romans 9:4–5.

Whatley Chapel Other notable works include Loire's stained glass windows designed in 1962 for Whatley Chapel at Johnson & Wales University in Denver, CO, and in 1980 for Salisbury Cathedral in England, as well as in 1967 for Grace Cathedral, San Francisco. In 1958 he provided an extensive and "remarkable" scheme of dalle de verre glass for St Richard of Chichester Roman Catholic Church in Chichester, West Sussex.

St Augustine's Chapel Two large and striking windows were completed for St Augustine's Chapel in Cork, Ireland in about 1972. These windows measure 12.5 metres in height and about 2 metres wide; the glass is solid coloured, not stained, glass. This glass is approximately 26 millimetres thick and is described as "dalle-de-verre", flagstones of glass, set in concrete and forming an integral load-bearing part of the building. Please see thumbnails.

Thanks-Giving Square In 1976 Loire completed the "Glory Window" for Thanks-Giving Square in Dallas, Texas. The window, which contains 73 panels of faceted glass, covers the spiral ceiling of non-denominational chapel to create one of the largest horizontally mounted stained glass windows in the world. Lower panels feature varying shades of blue. As the spiral continues inwards and upwards the colors become warmer and brighter until reaching the center where 60 feet above the floor the panels give way to a circle of beaming yellow light. Taking its name from Psalm 19, Loire meant this progression "to express life with its difficulties, its forces, its joys, its torments, and its frightening aspects. Bit by bit, all of that gives way to an explosion of gold where the summit is reached." An image of the "Glory Window" was chosen for the official United Nations stamp in 2000 during the International Year of Thanksgiving. It was also featured in the 2011 Oscar-nominated film The Tree of Life.

St. George's Cathedral His celebrated Christ in Triumph over Darkness and Evil was dedicated in 1982 at St. George's Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa, in memory of British war hero Earl Mountbatten of Burma, the last Viceroy of India.

Christ Church in Hamilton, Massachusetts Gabriel Loire created a suite of magnificent windows for Christ Church (Episcopal) in Hamilton, Massachusetts.

First Baptist Church, Everett, Washington

66 windows were commissioned between 1959-1961 and include: East side: 38 stained glass windows in abstract composition and attributes West side: 15 stained glass windows in abstract composition and attributes North side: 13 stained glass windows on the theme of fire.

First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, Louisiana

The four windows on the left of the nave at First United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, designed by Loire depict scenes from the life of Christ: The Baptism, The Temptation, The Ministry, and his Crucifixion. The triangular west window by Loire is entitled Cycle of Celebration and depicts the Christian community ascending the "holy hill of the Lord", based on Psalm 43.

Crowell Chapel - The window which lights the mosaic is also by Loire and illustrates the theme of Christian service, using the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Gallery of Gabriel Loire's works