This long-overdue volume showcases the Museum's outstanding stained and painted glass - a peerless collection ranging in date from c. 1140 to 1540 and with important examples from England, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands and Italy. The stained glass collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum is the largest in the world, making it possible to chart the development of the art in detail from the middle of the twelfth century to about 1550. One hundred colour plates, and selected details, show the collection to full advantage, while commentaries on each of the pieces will reconstruct the original context of the panels, explain the imagery and give details of further reading thus also providing an indispensable introduction to the subject. The text will touch on the techniques of stained glass, the major centres and monuments and the themes depicted in the pieces illustrated. Taken together, images and text illuminate a golden age of stained glass production, resulting in a beautiful book which will complement the major exhibition of Gothic art opening at the V&A in Autumn 2003.