Dr Emily Guerry develops an app to understand the stories behind cathedral stained glass.
Dr Emily Guerry is taking her research to new heights—quite literally. She and fellow Gothic art and architecture historians are teaming up with technology experts to unlock centuries-old secrets hidden high above the floors of ancient cathedrals. Much of the beauty and religious significance of the stained glass within these buildings is perched dozens of meters above where visitors stand, making it impossible to view, read and understand their messages. To bring the obscure into crystal clear focus, the team pioneered an app for Sainte-Chapelle in Paris that puts the entire catalogue of the chapel’s 1,113 panels of medieval stained glass in the palm of your hand.
Watch: Part of Dr Guerry’s research involved untangling some restoration mishaps from previous centuries.
The app gives visitors access to detailed images of each panel to showcase what Dr Guerry calls ‘a Bible in light.’ More than a decade of research is distilled into the app to help users track and understand Sainte-Chappelle’s synthesized story of the Bible. The app is available in twelve languages and features interactive search functions—all of which are having a major impact on visitors’ ability to access and understand the windows’ complicated and complex 12th-century storytelling. Helping visitors understand the story and purpose behind the beauty of the chapel’s windows leads to a more meaningful and engaging experience. Through the technology, they can customize their involvement for a truly unique encounter. Dr Guerry says the app has already been a big hit with young visitors who are avid smartphone users. Visitor surveys and feedback are being implemented to make it even more user-friendly.
Now Dr Guerry believes it’s time for the app to branch out, and her hope is to bring the technology to Canterbury Cathedral where she believes the walls and windows have secrets just waiting to be rediscovered. Uncovering those mysteries will open a colorful new world for visitors as artwork and design lost centuries ago spring back into life. The result will be the clearest picture yet of what 12th-century pilgrims would have experienced. ‘It’s understanding just how vibrant, bright, busy, chaotic cathedral interiors were,’ Dr. Guerry explains. ‘Color is so important. If we’re not careful with being honest about how colorful the medieval past was we also are at risk of whitewashing or thinking white stuff is clean and clear and the best, and there can be some problematic implications with that.’
An added bonus for admirers of Canterbury Cathedral will be the up-close views of some of the world’s oldest stained glass, designed and created in Canterbury rather than in France as was previously believed. ‘The French didn’t invent glass and bring it here,’ Dr Guerry asserts. ‘[Archbishop] Anselm’s cathedral already had stained glass windows. And that’s game changing!’
There’s no doubt the new technology developed by Dr Guerry and her team will be game changing as well as it brings thousands of modern-day pilgrims closer to the roots of their journey. [RG]
Liquid light: Sainte-Chappelle
A glimpse of what may be hidden on the walls of Canterbury Cathedral