ZEINER, Lukas
(b. 1450, Zürich, d. 1519, Zürich)

Biography

Swiss glass painter and glazier. He is recorded in the town records of Zurich between 1479 and 1512. At this time, the records are quite specific and often record glass painters like Zeiner by name rather than as simply 'glass painter'. In the 15th and 16th centuries it became more common to commission secular, heraldic, glass. It was especially common in mainland Europe, where the rules as to who could claim a coat of arms were more relaxed than in England. Zeiner was a leading glass artist in the field of heraldic painting. His style featured a coat of arms with supporters within an elaborate canopy. It set the stage for similar work for the next 100 years.