This well-made book opens with the preface by the publisher Andreas Friedrich, architect and also church ward of the reformed parish of Thalwil (CH) and the connection between Max Hunziker and Karl Ganz and the church, the exposition last summer and the process to realize this book.
Régine Bonnefoit wrote the chapter on ecclesiastical glass painting in Switzerland in the 20th century. The well-written German text is easy to read and starts with the Renaissance of stained glass in the 19th and 20th century to travel through time via Sèvres’ glass factory to Swiss stained glass artists to the 21st century with Gerhard Richter, Imi Knoebels and Sigmar Polke among others.
Marianne Panacek writes about the history of the construction of the Thalwil church and the designs and new stained glass windows in that church while Martin Halter outlines a concise history and the technique of stained glass whereupon one could discuss some items like the original technique of lead network, the enamel paint, the types of kilns or the choice of vertical painting.
In the chapter From lead corset to plastic – Max Hunziker and the renewal of the stained glass painting, Angela Schiffbauer describes the working history of the artist including the commissions and the cooperation with Karl Ganz. Interesting and unique is the choice for the material Styrolux as canvas with text and photos by Andreas Friedrich, followed by the Biography of Max Hunziker and the final pages with Andreas Friedrich’s telephone interview with Daniel Ganz, grandson of Karl Ganz, revealing his interest in plastic as a material.
Most warmly recommended!
Angela van der Burght
