Conrado Córdoba De Julián

Stained glass maker

The art of preserving coloured glass

Conrado was trained as a stained glass maker by French master Henri Dechanet
His favourite stages of the making process are applying lead frames and painting
He fears that his craft is on the verge of extinction

Conrado Córdoba De Julián is a stained glass artist who uses a wide range of techniques in his craft. "I always felt like I was destined to work with stained glass," he says. Conrado attended the first school dedicated to creating stained glass windows for cathedrals established in the city of Cuenca. He trained for three years under the French master glassmaker Henri Dechanet. "I was not only trained in stained glass, but also studied art history, artistic drawing, technical drawing and general culture," he explains. Conrado finds every aspect of his craft rewarding, from sketching his ideas to installing the final pieces. "It is important to me that my pieces play role in preserving the art of stained glass. It is an endangered craft that deserves to have more light shed on it – no pun intended," he humours.

Interview

What qualities are important in stained glass making?: A stained glass maker needs to master all the techniques involved in the craft, including cutting glass, leading, working with grisaille and enamels, and firing pieces. It is a highly complex craft that requires full dedication.
Is there a technique you feel most comfortable with?: When it comes to craftsmanship, I believe one should be comfortable with all techniques to produce excellent work. However, I particularly enjoy leading and painting stained glass.
What matters to you most in your work?: I find satisfaction in every aspect, from picking up a pencil to sketch the first design to installing the finished stained glass window and admiring the result. This craft is on the brink of extinction and I am happy to be part of its preservation.
What advice would you give to those interested in this craft?: They should learn from someone with extensive knowledge of the craft and seek knowledge from as many sources as possible – art, culture and contemporary movements. This craft is highly complex and demands great dedication and knowledge.

Conrado Córdoba De Julián is a master artisan: he began his career in 1989 and he started teaching in 2000