STAINED GLASS

Sarrebourg close to the canal is a detour we were advised to do mainly to see a stained glass window. We moored at Xouaxange, can't be too many villages with two 'x's in the name, crained Scoots off and set off for Sarrebourg 10 kilometres away. In the centre of the town there is a chapel with a long history, more recently in 1976 the Chapelle des Cordelliers had a makeover. Other associated buildings were removed as they were in such poor condition. The makeover in the chapel involved removing the end wall and installing a 12 metre tall stained glass widow designed by Marc Chagall. I am unclear as to the reason to involve such a famous artist. Famous that is if you are French, he is Russian/French. He does have a long history of impressive works both in France at the United Nations etc. I do not think he is as well known outside France. Could be wrong?

La vitrail 'La Paix' by Marc Chagall.

The commission was quite controversial mainly due to the cost but the city fathers insisted. Marc Chagall design the window and for its realisation he insisted on the collaboration with a famous stained glass creator Charles Marq from Reims. The result is certainly impressive and not overtly religious more about peace. Did I like it? Well it is certainly impressive, principally due to its size. I did find the overall artwork 'very cloggy'. The more you look and the closer you stand the more detail of biblical scene you see but I feel it becomes messy. It also used the technique, which is used in most religious stained glass windows of painting on the glass rather than the individual fragments of glass forming the 'picture'. I prefer the latter.

L'Espiègle by Jean Laniau.

There is a garden outside the chapel to reflect on La Paix and read quotations by Marc Chagall, a bit pretentious. However there was a beautiful bronze sculpture. There was no information as to why this one piece was there perhaps a visual key to contemplate.