A Glass of its own

MANILA, Philippines - Way back in 1912, in the midst of the bustling Quiapo district, German-born painter Matthias Kraut started his foray into the production of glass windows in the Philippines by putting up a stained glass studio in Bilibid Viejo. This would lead to the birth of Kraut Art Glass, the country’s pioneer and leader in stained glass manufacturing.

Arriving in the archipelago a year earlier as representative of Moore Paints, Kraut distinguished himself as a house painter among the ilustrados or the middle class of central and southern Luzon through the prestigious Standard Paint Co.

Soon enough, he was offering a novel design concept – interiors planned not just with paints, but with decorative windows as well, using his name as the brand for the art glass.

Before long, Kraut Art Glass had become a byword and an industry in itself because of its quality, custom-made windows which has adorned numerous churches, schools, residences and public landmarks in Manila and key cities across the country.

Masterfully handcrafted and baked by artisans, Kraut stained glass windows have established pride of place in popular houses of worship such as Sto. Domingo Church, Baclaran’s Redemptorist Church and Ellinwood Malate Church, and historic edifices such as the Manila Metropolitan Theater and the Manila Hotel, whose main building is as old as Kraut itself.

Outside the metropolis, Kraut windows radiate in the cathedrals and seminaries in Baguio, Vigan, Cebu, Davao City, Naga City, Borongan, Marinduque, Bohol and Bataan, to name a few. Among its more recent projects are the recently-restored Tuguegarao Cathedral, Kamay ni Hesus Shrine in Lucban, Quezon and the Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental.

Painted and hand assembled by skilled craftsmen, the firm has preserved the old tradition of making quality art glass that do not fade, and which even become more brilliant as the years go by.

According to Rochelle Kraut-Barrinaga, a third-generation Kraut in charge of marketing, while stained glass has been synonymous with religious art, it has made significant inroads in upscale residences and villages.

As a result, Kraut has developed new products such as textured glass and paper art glass to cater to the demands of modern architectural styles which can also be used in offices and condominiums.

“Kraut stained glass windows are not just another art glass panel that adorn, rather they are art pieces themselves. Our clients have their stained glass windows installed in places where they can be conspicuously seen,” she said.

The glass art company is currently managed by her and her elder brothers Robert Jr. and Roland, children of the youngest child of Matthias, Robert Sr.

Outside the hallowed walls of religious structures, Kraut has made its way to high foot traffic areas such as SM Megamall Chapel, Makati Nacional Funeral Homes, Funeraria Paz Homes, PNB Financial Center for more people to behold and admire.

Moreover, its contemporary designs exude a relaxing mood at the Mandarin Hotel, Holiday Inn (Ortigas and Clark), Heritage Hotel, Fort Ilocandia, Shakey’s Pizza, Josephine’s Restaurant, Casino Filipino and Aubergine Restaurant.

Prominent artists such as Galo Ocampo, Mario Parial, Rafael del Casal and Roger San Miguel have tapped Kraut to bring kaleidoscopic life into their masterpieces which are now housed in the country’s important cultural edifices.

The glass firm’s latest project is the Ayuntamiento building in Intramuros, Old Manila’s Spanish-era city hall which is being restored to its colonial splendor. Given its more than a century of tradition of excellence and artisanship, Kraut is definitely a class – and a glass – of its own.