Calle Sasamón 2, bajo – 09007 Burgos
The main tasks carried out in the workshop Vidrieras Barrio S.L. follow the criteria of seeking new opportunities for expression through knowledge and research in the field of traditional techniques, and the restoration and conservation of historic stained glass windows.
In the different processes they use traditional stained glass techniques in a completely manual and artisanal way. It is an activity which has suffered very few technical alterations throughout its history, and probably one of the ones which has best been able to maintain the traditional processes of manufacture in all its different specialized areas: painting, cutting and leading up.
Given the technical particularities that are required for the manufacture of stained glass windows following the traditional techniques, it is not rare to find tools manufactured by the artisans themselves such as: punches made of wood or bone, birds’ feathers, brushes, tingles, lead-cutting elements, brujidores (used for polishing the edges and the angles of the stained glass windows), etc.
The process of cutting the glass starts with the tracing of the glass pieces with chalk or something similar on the glass sheet, to then make a cleft with the glasscutter or the rotary cutter on the aforementioned outline. Right after that, with the small taps the glassmaker gives the glass with small bronze hammers and the pressure of his own hands, the cutting of the glass comes to an end. After that, it is necessary to eliminate the imperfections which could remain in the edges of the glass – leading to small cracks and spalling – with the brujidor (iron strip with clefts of different widths in its ends, with which the glassmaker manages to get as close as possible to the traced gauges, eliminating small portions of material). He also makes use of pliers especially designed for that purpose. Experimented glasscutters are capable of reproducing extremely complicated shapes on glass with the aid of just a few tools.
The Master Enrique Barrio Solórzano received artistic education from the painters Jesús del Olmo and Luis Ortega, and, as a glassmaker, in the family workshop with Santiago Barrio. In addition, he carried out a specific training course in glass blowing at the National Glass Centre at the Granja de San Ildefonso, Segovia.
Enrique Barrio has been a member of the Technical Committee for the Conservation of Stained Glass Windows of the Spanish Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevi and belongs to different associations such as the Spanish Ceramic and Glass Society and the International Association for the Study and the History of Glass.
Currently, he leads the training in a school-workshop of stained glass windows in collaboration with the Bishopric and the Oficina del Conservador of the city of Cienfuegos (Cuba).
He regularly collaborates in publications and the elaboration of different projects for different professionals and entities dedicated to the safeguard of Cultural Heritage. It is worth mentioning his recent participation in the International Competition of Stained Glass called by the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca for the Chapel of the Sagrado Corazón, the coordination works he has carried out within the technical committee for the drafting of the Master Plan regarding Stained Glass Windows of the Cathedral of Astorga, his collaboration with the Master Plan of the Bishopric Palace of Astorga or the intervention project for the stained glass windows of the Chapel of the Condestable of the Cathedral of Burgos, among others.
Some lectures and conferences:
In 2014,lecture “Historic stained glass windows of the Cathedral of Burgos” and practical workshop “Manufacture and restoration of stained glass windows”, “Ceramic and Glass in Architecture” sessions, University of Burgos, Spanish Society of Ceramic and Glass, Official School of Architects in Burgos.
In 2013, course “Design and manufacture of a classical stained glass window” and lecture “Paints, enamels and grisailles for the artistic stained glass creation” within the Summer Courses of the University of Burgos. “Glass in the Architectural Language and Aesthetics”, course “The artistic creation in and out of Heritage”, University of Burgos.
In 2012, lecture “Preservation of a scarce heritage: the stained glass window”, LII Congress of the Spanish Society of Ceramic and Glass, Burgos.
Between 2005 and 2009, several lectures for the Cathedral Friends Society: “The light in the path. The Stained Glass Windows of the Cathedral”, “Astorga, the Cathedral of the light”.
In 2005, Workshop “The Art of Stained Glass Windows”, V Science and Technology Week, University of Burgos.
Cathedral of Astorga:
Creation of the stained glass windows dedicated to the Holy Lord within the Capilla de la Majestad.
Creation of the stained glass windows dedicated to the 2000 Jubilee in the northern façade.
Creation of the abstract stained glass windows located on the main façade.
Creation of the stained glass windows dedicated to San Juan Pablo II and San Juan XXIII in the southern façade.
Cathedral of Burgos:
Creation of the stained glass windows of the Lantern Tower.
Creation of the complete set of stained glass windows of the Main Nave.
Cathedral of Menorca:
Creation of the complete set of stained glass windows of the Presbytery.
Creation of the complete set of stained glass windows of the Apse Chapels.
Creation of the stained glass windows of the Main Nave.
Cathedral of Ourense:
Creation of the stained glass window dedicated to the Holy Trinity on the western façade.
Creation of the stained glass window in the atrium of the western façade.
Cathedral of Cienfuegos, in Cuba:
Creation of the stained glass window dedicated to the Sacred Heart in the Presbytery.
Creation dedicated to San Juan Evangelista in the Main Nave.
Creation dedicated to San Judas Tadeo in the Main Nave.
Collegiate Church of San Antolín de Medina del Campo, in Valladolid:
Creation of the complete set of stained glass windows.
Church of Santa María La Blanca de Villalcazar de Sirga, in Palencia:
Creation of the complete set of stained glass windows.