My name is Christiane MergnerI work with light

Glass painting is an art form that emerged with the earliest churches, at the heart of the Middle Ages, to tell stories and illuminate sacred spaces. Stained-glass windows were not merely decorative: they spoke to the faithful, transforming light into images, meaning and narrative.

I continue to work in the footsteps of this thousand-year-old tradition, using techniques that have been handed down through generations. Every project requires respect, precision and careful attention to the architecture, history and light of the space.

I design, restore and reconstruct artistic stained-glass windows for churches, combining expert craftsmanship with a contemporary artistic sensibility.

• Design and creation of new works
• Restoration in accordance with historical and artistic conservation standards
• Reconstruction based on historical models

Stained Glass for Windows and Doors

I create leaded stained-glass panels and paintings on glass for windows, doors and room dividers, drawing on historical models, my own designs or specific client requirements.

I devote particular attention to Art Nouveau stained glass, in which line, colour and light intertwine, creating a balance between decoration and architecture.

Leaded stained glass has the unique ability to reflect light as it changes throughout the day, breaking it into shifting colours and layers of depth. No other art form possesses this transparency and luminosity: this is where the fascination of glass lies.

I create new bespoke stained-glass works and also restore and repair existing pieces.

Every historic stained-glass window represents a delicate balance between material, light and time.

My work is guided by a clear principle: to preserve the authenticity of each piece while keeping intervention to a minimum, in accordance with the guidelines of the Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevi, the international standard for stained-glass conservation.

Each project begins with an in-depth analysis and follows a comprehensive process, from assessing the damage and defining the appropriate treatment to carrying out the work by hand and preparing the final documentation. Cleaning, consolidation of the painted layers and stabilisation: every stage is performed with care and precision, in constant dialogue with the history of the work.

It is a process that helps preserve for the future what history has entrusted to us.

I create these works using traditional craftsmanship, allowing every aspect of the design to be fully customised.

A coat of arms embodies tradition, history and heritage. It expresses the identity of a family, lineage, place or institution, becoming a unique and distinctive emblem. Immortalised in glass, these symbols become luminous expressions of their origins, designed to endure for generations.

Their creation demands a level of precision that is increasingly rare today. Fine line painting, delicate penwork and damascening come together to produce intricate miniature works of art. Every detail gives the coat of arms exceptional depth, definition and luminosity.

In my studio in Valsolda, on Lake Lugano, I share the knowledge I have gained over more than forty years of experience through individually tailored workshops.

The workshop is open both to those approaching this rare and traditional craft for the first time and to those who already have experience and wish to develop their skills further.

During the workshop, you will learn how to create your own work of art: from the initial design and cutting the glass to painting and assembling it with lead. The duration and structure are defined according to your level of experience and the time you wish to devote to it, creating a bespoke experience designed especially for you.