Dear Friends,
Imagine a place where art and spirituality meet. The Cathedral of Chartres, with its stunning stained glass windows, is a treasure of world heritage. The project “From the Ecrin to the Screen” aims to make this heritage accessible to all through innovative digital tools.
By becoming a patron of this project, you will have the opportunity to take part in a unique adventure that transcends borders. Your support will contribute to the creation of a comprehensive database and the development of immersive experiences that will captivate visitors from around the globe.
Your commitment goes beyond a simple donation. As a patron, you will be part of an international community of enthusiasts who share a common vision: to preserve and promote the cultural richness of our history. Together, we can inspire future generations to explore and appreciate the beauty of the stained glass windows of Chartres.
Join us in this noble mission. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference. Help us shine a light on this gem of heritage and share its stories with the world.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and commitment. Together, let’s keep the legacy of Chartres alive through the ages!
With gratitude,
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
The Centre International du Vitrail is launching an innovative project to bring the public closer to historic stained glass through interactive screens. The initiative aims to reveal the art of stained glass and its essential role in cathedrals, enabling visitors to rediscover the meanings of images created by clerics over a thousand years ago. By combining science and faith, these stained-glass windows convey profound messages. This project aims to attract a wide audience, making the cultural and artistic heritage of stained glass accessible while enriching understanding of its historical and spiritual context. Lire la suite
TOOLS FOR STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
For centuries, the cathedral’s stained glass windows have amazed visitors. Their beauty and history are remarkable. Often overlooked, these masterpieces were revolutionary in their day. They let in light and tell captivating stories. Acting like the screens of yesteryear, they are essential to sacred architecture. De l’Écrin à l’Écran” aims to rediscover the cultural and artistic importance of stained glass. The project explores their heritage and impact on spirituality and history. It offers a new perspective thanks to modern technological tools. Lire la suite
PROJECT PROGRESS
The creation of a database dedicated to the stained glass windows of Chartres Cathedral is transforming efforts to promote this French heritage. Validated by a scientific committee, this database provides a complete digital record of information on the stained glass windows. It improves access to these exceptional works of art. This initiative helps to preserve and promote the cultural importance of Chartres’ stained glass windows. It also raises public awareness of this unique heritage. This database is a major asset for the study and conservation of stained glass. Lire la suite
OUR SUPPORT
The project aims to win back and mobilize new generations of donors. All philanthropy indicators show that individual donations have fallen since 2022. This trend affects all sectors, including cultural and religious heritage. Fortunately, committed companies and individuals are beginning to join us. Their willingness to pass on this age-old knowledge is essential to the sustainability of the project. Together, we can reinvigorate support for heritage preservation initiatives and encourage a renewed commitment to our cultural heritage. Lire la suite
For centuries, the cathedral’s stained-glass windows have amazed visitors. We’ve forgotten how revolutionary they were when they were first made. Stained-glass windows let light through and tell stories. They are the screens of yesteryear, hence the name of the project: “From Case to Screen”.
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3 tools for Chartres Cathedral’s stained-glass windows.
The builders who revolutionized the art of construction in the 11th century gave master stained-glass artists the opportunity to express their skills. Stained glass then became a giant screen, using natural light to illustrate scenes from the Bible and life in the Middle Ages, while incorporating characters from everyday life.
Today, 21st-century screens are at the service of stained-glass windows and their mysteries.
But in this exceptional setting, there are many constraints:
- respect for a place of worship ;
- distance of stained-glass windows from visitors ;
- protection of the building ;
- impossibility of moving anything ;
- …
For these reasons, digital tools are the solution.
And the story can then be told in the future, thanks to :
- an artificial intelligence application ;
- an educational room ;
- an Open Source database.
Using an interactive map and a digital recognition scan mode, the application lets you view a stained-glass window with your smartphone camera. Each scene can be selected. Visitors will be provided with information on the representation and immersed in an immersive experience.
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Create a stained-glass encyclopedia in a room of the museum to give everyone access to the full range of knowledge about stained glass. Visitors and teachers will have access to educational boards with information on scenes from the Bible, life in the Middle Ages and stained-glass restoration.
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A database for anyone (researchers, academics, schools, museums, etc.) wishing to access the full range of information on stained glass. Comprising texts, photos and videos, its aim is to make almost forgotten knowledge accessible from a distance.
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Press coverage
- Aleteia : All the secrets of Chartres’ stained glass windows soon revealed on an app
- Actu.fr : Artificial intelligence at the heart of Chartres Cathedral’s stained-glass windows, a world first
- Echo Républicain : Stéphane Bern publishes a video in support of the Centre international du vitrail de Chartres
- Le Monde des artisans : “De l’Écrin à l’Écran”: an AI project to highlight Chartres Cathedral’s stained-glass windows
- Radio Notre Dame : Jean-Paul Deremble and Jean Touchard for the “De l’Ecrin à l’Ecran” project
- Club Innovation Culture : Chartres Cathedral and Centre International du Vitrail de Chartres seek to integrate artificial intelligence into new mediation and promotion tools
Stéphane Bern also sent us a warm message of support:
