Gabriel Loire (April 21, 1904 – December 27, 1996) was a French stained glass artist of the twentieth century whose extensive works, portraying various persons or historical scenes, appear in many venues around the world. He founded the Loire Studio in Chartres, France which continues to produce stained glass windows. Loire was a leader in the modern use of "slab glass" (French: dalle de verre), which is much thicker and stronger than the stained glass technique of the Middle Ages. The figures in his windows are mostly Impressionistic in style.
Life
Loire was born in Pouancé, France, on April 21, 1904. After completing his schooling in Angers in 1926, he went to Charles Lorin stained glass workshop in Chartres, France; where he worked for 10 years, until leaving in 1936. In order to leave, Loire was required to sign a non-compete agreement stating that he would not design any stained glass for 10 years. In 1946, he founded his own stained glass studio there, which continues under the direction of his son Jacques Loire and grandsons.
He died on Christmas Day, December 25, 1996, shortly after finishing a design for a new window.
Commissions
Loire often expressed the view, "La paix donne la joie" ("Peace gives joy") and particularly liked working with shades of blue, which he said represented to him the colour of peace. His stained glass artistry, blending modern and traditional elements, attained wide acceptance, as indicated by the considerable output of the Loire Studio displayed around the world. In addition to more than 450 installations in France, Loire's works are found in Scotland, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Morocco, Japan, Chile, Canada, Australia and the United States of America.
Post-war work
Some of his important commissions were for churches rebuilt after destruction in World War II, in particular the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche) in Berlin, Germany (1960) and the Church of St. Walberge, Xertigny, Lorraine, France (1951–1952).
His greatest post-war work is in Saint Paul's Church, Whiteinch, Glasgow (1960). It consists of 162 Square metres of curved window set in cement and embedded with chipped glass. The main panels depict the life of Saint Paul and are ably supported in the side altar by panels of the Virgin and the roof of the Baptismal font. The church building is Category B listed.
The Holy Name Church, Oakley, Fife, (1958), notable features include the stained glass windows and the carved Stations of the Cross are also by Gabriel Loire.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel RC Church, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire (1963). Large window above main entrance, also designed the windows in the octagonal baptistry.
St John's RC Church, Stevenston, Ayrshire, windows depicting biblical scenes, (1963).
He has other works in the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Broomhill, Glasgow (1965). Though the technique here is not of chipped glass but more of painted glass.
Saint Angela Merici Catholic Church in Pacific Grove, California
Gabriel Loire was commissioned to create seventeen windows for a new brick church building, constructed in 1957. The new Church was designed to combine an accessible, modern liturgical environment with minimalism that was part of midcentury architecture. At the front, above the main doors of the church is triptych window which depicts the ministry, crucifixion, and ascension of Jesus. Along the right side of the nave are seven windows depicting: Saint Pius X; Saint Patrick; Our Lady of Fatima; Saint Anthony of Padua; the Virgin Mary; Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus; and Saint Therese, Child of Jesus. Along the left side of the nave are seven windows depicting: Saint Angela Merici at evening prayer with family; Saint Angela Merici praying before the Assumption of Mary; Saint Angela Merici's vision of ten virgins; the Healing of Saint Angela Merici; Saint Angela Merici founding the Ursuline Order; Saint Dominic; and Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan
In 1963, the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan in Corvallis, Oregon, commissioned Loire to design stained glass chapel windows that expressed the congregation's dedication to the ministry of healing, funded in part by contributions from physicians in the parish. In 1968, the church contracted 49 additional windows for the main sanctuary representing "The Revelation of Truth from God through Human Personality."