Contemporary Stained Glass Exhibition by Bastien Bürcher Opens Near Lyon

Sophie LaurentMay 25, 20261 Mins read8

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Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or, May 24, 2026 – Lyon artist Bastien Bürcher will open an exhibition, ‘Vitraux – Entre plombs et couleurs’ (Stained Glass – Between Leads and Colors), at the Salle des Vieilles Tours in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or in early June. This immersive exhibition, developed in collaboration with the Lyon gallery Autour de l’Image and master glassmaker Joël Mone, showcases 34 contemporary works that reimagine the traditional art of stained glass.

A New Perspective on Ancient Heritage

The exhibition aims to offer a fresh perspective on stained glass, an art form typically found high in churches. Bürcher’s approach brings these intricate works down to eye level, allowing viewers to appreciate the graphic poetry of lead lines, color fragments, and material textures up close. “The idea was never to reproduce stained glass, but rather to see what we never truly look at,” explains Bastien Bürcher.

Using high-definition images, some sourced from Google Arts & Culture, the artist isolates specific details, pushing them towards abstraction. This technique, known as monotype enhanced with oil, is Bürcher’s signature method, creating a dialogue between historical patrimony and contemporary artistic expression.

Exploring Lead Structures and Chromatic Explosions

Some pieces in the collection highlight the lead structures, presenting them as almost architectural drawings. Others burst into chromatic fragments, evoking the effect of light passing through glass. This interplay creates a unique visual experience that blurs the lines between memory and modern interpretation.

A Historic Venue for a Contemporary Vision

The Salle des Vieilles Tours, a desacralized former chapel in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or, provides a fitting backdrop for this exhibition. Its historical ambiance complements the spiritual, artisanal, and contemporary elements of Bürcher’s work. Master glassmaker Joël Mone’s involvement further enriches the project, adding another dimension to the artistic exploration.

Bürcher emphasizes the profound visual richness of stained glass: “Stained glass possesses an infinite visual richness, and I wanted to convey this emotion through my own plastic language.” The exhibition, ‘Vitraux – Entre plombs et couleurs,’ is conceived as a traveling exhibition, with plans to visit other locations across France.