Beautiful, custom stained glass windows have been utilized for hundreds of years. In the early days, stained glass was reserved for churches and other places of worship. Now, it can be used in place of windows while simultaneously adding visual interest and privacy to a structure. Check out some of the most beautiful custom stained glass displays from the twentieth-century for some colorful inspiration perfect for windows in conservatories, homes and everywhere else. 

Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence

Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence: Sometimes referred to as the Matisse Chapel, this small Catholic chapel is positioned along the French Riviera and was built and decorated under artist Henri Matisse’s direction. The chapel was constructed from 1947- 1951 and houses many Matisse originals, but most importantly, three sets of abstract custom stained glass windows. All three are made using yellow, green and blue glass. Blue traditionally represents the Virgin Mary, while yellow represents the light of God streaming through. The colorful windows flood the otherwise all-white space with vibrant colors as the sun shines through the glass. 

Grossmünster, Zürich: This Romanesque-style Protestant Church has gone through many changes since its initial construction in the thirteenth-century. The church previously had stained glass windows, but after the Reformation, the church was stripped of its ornamentation. In 1932, Swiss artist Augusto Giacometti added modern stained-glass windows to the church. In 2009, artist Sigmar Polke added a secular, colorful abstract stained glass window with semi-precious stones and thinly sliced agate. This unique window allows for privacy and colored light to flood through the church.

Cathedral of Brasilia, Brazil: This cathedral, the first monument built in Brazil’s capital  Brasilia, was designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1970. Niemeyer was known for designing with curving concrete and glass. Its unique custom stained glass was created by artist Marianne Peretti. The work spans 22,000 square feet and features ocean-like waves of glass in blue, green, white and brown glass. The church has 16 arched pillars that are arranged to form a thorn crown, with the center being filled with stained glass in a series of 98-feet-high triangles. The cathedral is recognizable by both its shape and its stained glass.