LUMIÈRE ET VITRAIL AVEC MAX INGRAND (1908-1969) À L'ÉGLISE DE FRAIZE

Documents the creation of stained glass windows by the renowned French master glassmaker Max Ingrand for the church of Saint-Blaise in Fraize, Vosges, France. The book is based on lectures given by Maubré in November 2008 and May 2009 for La Costelle, a local heritage preservation association.

It details the 1949 installation of the windows, which depict themes like the Nativity, Notre-Dame, and Pentecost, following the church’s reconstruction after World War II damage. Maubré provides a biography of Ingrand, born in Bressuire in 1908, who trained at the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and worked under Jacques Gruber before establishing his own studio in 1931. Ingrand’s career spanned over 200 religious sites worldwide, blending medieval techniques with modern expressionism, though his work at Fraize faced criticism for its figurative style amidst a growing preference for abstraction.

The book explores the history and artistry of stained glass, its medieval pedagogical role, and Ingrand’s struggle to balance tradition with contemporary trends. It notes the lack of local recognition for Ingrand’s contribution at the time—evidenced by minimal press coverage, save for a brief mention in Les Annonces des Hautes Vosges—and reflects on the broader appreciation of stained glass as an art form. Illustrated with images of the Fraize windows, the text underscores Ingrand’s mastery of light and color, positioning his work as a significant yet underappreciated part of 20th-century sacred art.