Heinrich Oidtmann I (1838–1890)

While still studying chemistry and medicine, Dr Heinrich Oidtmann I engaged deeply with the history and technique of stained glass. He was especially fascinated by the interplay of craft, material and light.

Alongside traditional musive stained glass, he turned early to developing new technical processes. In the early 1860s he succeeded in transferring image templates onto glass using lithography, producing stained glass in series. The more affordable glass images made possible by this glass stone printing brought the company worldwide renown.

This commercial success led to rapid growth. Glasswork from Linnich was exported internationally, including to America, Africa and the Philippines. With the opening of branches in Brussels (1885) and Berlin (1886), Glasmalerei Dr. H. Oidtmann became one of the most important stained glass companies of its time.

By the change of generation in 1890, the company employed around 100 people and had received numerous awards for its technical innovations and the high quality of its work.