Kim En Joong at Chambord : when the art of stained glass dialogues with the architecture of the castle

From 29 March to 31 August 2025, the Château de Chambord is hosting an exceptional exhibition entitled ” Colours of the invisible “, highlighting the work of Korean master glassmaker and artist Kim En Joong. Although Chambord has been opening its doors to contemporary art since 2011, this is the very first time that the château has presented an exhibition of stained glass windows, establishing an unprecedented dialogue between sacred art and Renaissance architecture.

Article produced in collaboration with Domaine national de Chambord

Kim En Joong, the journey of an artist

Born in 1940 into a large family in South Korea during the Japanese occupation, Kim En Joong lived through the tumult of history before devoting himself to art. After studying Fine Arts in Seoul, he discovered Catholicism while teaching drawing in a seminary, a revelation that led him to embrace the Christian faith. After settling in Europe, he explored the art of stained glass, the start of a prolific career that saw him sublimate over a hundred religious and civil buildings around the world. His art is characterised by lyrical abstraction and a mastery of colour and light.

Stained glass at Chambord  a dialogue between architecture and light

The ” Couleurs de l’invisible ” exhibition spans nearly 900 sq m on the second floor of the château, bringing together some forty works by the artist. Among them: 34 stained glass windows, as well as ceramics, a screen, a fan and a painting on canvas created in situ during the artist’s residency at the château.

The presentation of recent creations, in particular stained glass windows using modern printing techniques on glass plates, alongside works from earlier in Kim En Joong’s career, also shows the evolution of his work.

Kim En Joong describes his work as cooking that he executes with an inner delight, using as ingredients several techniques : spray paint, chalk, brush, knife…

An artistic and spiritual exhibition

Installed in several rooms and in the castle’s four arms of the cross, Kim En Joong’s creations blend harmoniously with the architecture of Chambord, revealing the spiritual dimension of the monument.

Chambord, a spiritual architecture ?

The Chambord archives have almost all disappeared, leaving a huge gap in our knowledge of the monument. It is thought, however, that the plan, centred on a Greek cross with an orientation according to the points of the compass, was inspired by the description of the heavenly Jerusalem in the Apocalypse of Saint John.

This exhibition is part of Chambord’s desire to revitalise its heritage through contemporary creation, by inviting artists whose work resonates with the history and spirit of the place. ” Couleurs de l’invisible ” is an invitation to contemplate and discover an art form that, through the subtle interplay of light and transparency, gives us a new way of looking at the château.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to plunge into the heart of Kim En Joong’s poetic and spiritual universe, and rediscover the Château de Chambord in a new light.

See also: a Botticelli at Chambord !

Near Chambord, the church in the village of Champigny-en-Beauce hid an unsuspected treasure. A painting that had long gone unnoticed was recently authenticated as an original work by the painter Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510).

After undergoing a restoration campaign, the painting is now on display for two years in the chapel of the Chambord castle. So take advantage of your visit to go and admire it!

Practical information

Article produced in collaboration with the Domaine national de Chambord
All photographs illustrating this article are the property of Culturez-vous and may not be reused without written permission.

Antoine Vitek

Happy father of Culturez-vous! I am passionate about art, culture, heritage and travel.

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