The nineteenth century experienced the revival of the art of stained glass, at first in an imitation of the Gothic style, and later on following contemporary trends in art. The sinuous forms of the Art Nouveau style, which flourished at the turn of the century, lent themselves perfectly to the medium of stained glass.
The first section of this book reproduces all of the designs from two rare portfolios created by [Ernst] Arnold Lyongrün, an artist noted for his landscapes, portraits, and genre scenes. His work is marked by inventiveness in form and color as well as by a winning sense of humor, particularly in his depictions of animals. The plates include images of a peacock, parrots, butterflies, and frogs; a host of flowers; and even some humans engaged in work and play. Some of these images are cleverly concealed within the intricate stained glass designs.