This is in response to the major archaeological glass discovery made in 2014 in downtown Roermond. This discovery included 19th-century colored and stained window glass from the workshop of Frans Nicolas. The Cuypershuis is displaying this historic glass, offering a glimpse into the early days of the 19th-century studio, its operations, and its development into the leading glass studio in the Netherlands.
The Revival of Stained-Glass Art and the Founding of the Glass Studio
In 1855, Frans Nicolas (1826–1894) founded the company F. Nicolas in Roermond and began producing stained-glass windows. The studio grew to become the largest company in this field in the Netherlands. The business remained in family hands until 1939, when grandson Joep Nicolas (1897–1972) left for America. It was then taken over by Max Weiss, who ran it until 1968.
In the 19th century, there was a revival of stained-glass art. The emancipation of Catholics created a high demand for churches, often in the Neo-Gothic style, complete with stained-glass windows. Another reason for the emergence of art studios was King William I’s encouragement of these enterprises.
The glass studio managed to turn this situation into a commercial success, in part through its collaboration with architect and fellow townsman Pierre Cuypers. The monumental windows were not only installed in the Netherlands. They were also exported to Europe, America, the Dutch East Indies, and Australia. Sales in America were handled through “agents” in at least 20 locations.
The recent discovery of glass in downtown Roermond and the research into the company’s archives by the Social History Center for Limburg in Maastricht served as the foundation for this exhibition. The studio’s impressive cartoons (the full-scale designs of the church windows) have recently been studied, digitized, and are now—for the first time—on display at the Cuypershuis.
Roermond: City of Glassmakers
City walks featuring stained-glass windows, contemporary video works at A Stage of Luminosity, “Art Shoes You Can’t Refuse,” and two exhibitions on monumental glass art at the Historiehuis and Cuypershuis. This year, the city of Roermond is entirely dedicated to the art of stained glass. An overview of all activities related to “Roermond, City of Stained Glass” can be found under the “News” section.