About Us
Conservation and restoration of stained glass since 1923
Vitralls Bonet today
Vitralls Bonet was founded by JM Bonet in 1923 and since then has transmitted from generation to generation and from master to master a spirit that contemplates a scrupulous respect for traditional techniques and methods, as well as a constant interest in the development of new procedures.
Currently the workshop has adapted to the requirements of the market by working with a tight and highly specialized staff capable of dealing with any situation related to conservation, restoration or the creation of stained glass windows.
Methodology
The company works according to the guidelines proposed by the international organization Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevi of 2004, investigating and documenting: the initial state, the restoration process, the materials used and the final state of the work, delivering all the documentation generated to the project manager.
A multidisciplinary team
Our team is composed of: two creatives: one with a degree in Fine Arts and another with a diploma in Arts applied to the wall, a graduate in Chemistry specialized in conservation and restoration of stained glass, as well as assemblers, engravers, and installers, all of them trained in the company and with a long experience in the field of stained glass.
A hundred-year history
Josep Maria Bonet (1903 Seo de Urgel -1988 Barcelona) founded the workshop together with his brother Xavier Bonet (1897- 1985). The family has ancient roots in the village of Arsèguel in Haute Urgel. At a very young age, he studied in Barcelona at the La Llotja school, where he excelled in drawing and befriended artists with whom he would later collaborate in the field of stained glass, Montsardà, Labarta, Commeleran.
Later he learned the trade in the workshop of the glassmaker Oriach, where his brother was already working.
The difficult years
His first works were the hand of the artist Darius Vilàs and the architect Josep Maria Pericas, some stained glass windows of the parishes of Carmen in Barcelona and San Juan de Reus, as well as the stained glass windows of the crypt of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The workshop, which worked on the production of leaded glass, its restoration and engraved glass, was collectivized during the civil war and both JM Bonet and Xavier Bonet devoted themselves to other professional activities.
Postwar and new jobs
At the end of the war, the workshop resumed its activity and worked on the stained-glass windows of the chapter room of the Poblet monasteryin the stained glass windows of the monasteries of Vallbona de las Monjas and Santes Creus, in the stained glass windows of Santa María de las Avellanas, in the parish of San Juan de Lleida, in those of the Sant Feliu de Llobregat Cathedralaccording to drawings by Francesc Labarta and in the parishes of Jesús and San Juan de Gracia. He also worked with the architect Josep Maria Jujol in the parishes of Santa María de Vilanova y la Geltrú and Sant Joan Despí.
In addition to his great work on the Catalan stained glass windows, he concentrated on the improvement of materials, processes and worked for the introduction of the new technologies. lamps with copper Tiffany style and with the reserves with adhesive vinyl that allowed to avoid the laborious use of tinfoil and Judea bitumen.
New times
Towards the 1960s, a new era began in which stained glass was once again an artistic field with a discourse of its own and JM Bonet worked with the artists Will Faber in the windows of the cruise of the church of the Homes Mundet, with Ramon Rogent in the stained glass windows of the chapel of the Hospital of Granollers, the parish of Ruby, in the windows of Domènech Fita for the Cathedral of Girona, with Carlos Madiroles to the Carmelites of Vic.
Josep Maria Bonet received the letter of master craftsman glassmaker in 1986. He died in Barcelona in 1988 working until almost the last day in the stained glass workshop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whatever the damage, leaded stained glass can always be restored. They are part of the decorative arts and must be treated by a specialist who will propose the most appropriate solutions for their correct conservation.
It depends on the extent of the deterioration. If they are punctual and localized, they can be treated in situ. We can give you a free quotation.
Yes. It is not easy to make a safe packing, but once it is done, they travel by plane, sea or road without any problems or damage.
Yes. Whatever the location, we travel to work on the windows if necessary.
Yes, without any commitment. Prices depend on issues such as the complexity of the design, the type of glass and paint. Once decided, an adjusted price can be closed.
It is a matter of taste but also of balance with the architecture where the stained glass windows will be installed and the light they receive. We have a wide range of artists and designs that will help you reach a unique final design for your project.
Yes. Bring us or send us your sketches and we can advise you on the quality of materials to use and the most appropriate techniques and procedures.
