Stained Glass Artisan, Louis C. Tiffany



Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) is associated with Art Nouveau style stained glass lamps and windows. He was nicknamed "Rebel in Glass" because he ventured into many avenues of art glass. He founded Tiffany and Company soon after the Civil War and employed several artists to carry out his artistic ideas.

Tiffany had studied painting in Paris and when he returned home, he studied Medieval techniques in glassmaking. From his experimentation of many techniques of glassmaking, he came up with his beautiful "drapery" stained glass which he used to represent the folds and ripples in the robes and gowns of figures in his stained glass windows.

Tiffany's first figure stained glass window was built in 1878 using opalescent glass from the Heidt glasshouse. He made his first glass tiles at Heidt glass house, his factory in Brooklyn. Tiffany's stained glass designs were unique and constructed with an aim for stability so that they would last and be enjoyed for generations.

Much of Tiffany's work no longer exists. Without a thought, people threw away Tifffany stained glass lampshades; and, church and cathedral stained glass windows have been destroyed over time. Some of Tiffany's stained glass lamp shades, when found, are now valued up to tens of thousands of dollars or more.

Tiffany's stained glass products were not intended to be mass produced but, rather, were created for individuals or church memorial gifts. Probably only less than half of Tiffany's stained glass products are still in existence. Those are mostly already in museums or are kept by prominent collectors. So, it is unlikely for you to accidentally run across a Tiffany stained glass lampshade or stained glass window panel that will make you wealthy.

Tiffany was an avid painter who painted all his life. His painting ability was very useful to him in designing his significant stained glass windows. His "cartoons" were not merely patterns on paper, but often they were full-size oil paintings on canvas. For Tiffany, stained glass windows were simply another form of painting.

Interestingly, Tiffany's stained glass windows for public buildings were signed, but stained glass windows he built for individual homes were not signed. He thought the families who lived in the homes would be able to attribute to the fact that he or his company had made their stained glass windows. This has caused problems proving stained glass windows were his.

One of Tiffany's better known designs was the Wisteria Table Lamp (c. 1900) of which many reproductions have been made. The beautiful stained glass lamp shade is a resemblance of a vine, leaves, and wisteria blossoms dripping all over in beautiful colors.

Tiffany's stained glass works can be seen in various places. One such place is the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida where the interior of the chapel Tiffany designed is assembled. It had been designed for the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. After the exposition, it had been stored in Tiffany's mansion until the mansion burned down. The chapel parts and all its stained glass windows were salvaged and rebuilt in the museum at Rollins College.

There are several of Tiffany's stained glass windows in New Jersey. Stained glass windows at Saint James Church in Fordham, Bronx, New York represent some of Tiffany's best work from the late 19th century through 1929. Other Tiffany stained glass works can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, City.

Many references to locations where Tiffany's stained glass windows and other art can be seen can be found online.




Comments

*Name:
*Email:
Website URL:
Title / Subject:
Hide my email
*Comments:
*
 



Menu


My Articles

How To Repair Your Stained Glass Window
How To Properly Solder Your Stained Glass
Sandblasting Stained Glass
John La Farge, American Stained Glass Artist
Beginning Stained Glass Class - What Should I Expect To Learn
How To Install Your Stained Glass Window
Stained Glass Copper Foil Technique
Stained Glass Lead Came Technique
How Stained Glass Is Made
Supplies For Getting Started In Stained Glass
Painting Stained Glass - Not As Mysterious As It Seems
Designing Your Own Stained Glass
Mastering Difficult Stained Glass Cuts
Stained Glass Projects For Children
Turn Your Stained Glass Hobby Into A Fun Job
How Much Will A Custom Stained Glass Window Cost?
Stained Glass Workshop Safety Tips
How To Buy Stained Glass
How To Decorate With Stained Glass
Stained Glass Painting
Stained Glass Scoring And Breaking - An Art In Itself
Enhance The Beauty Of Your Garden With Stained Glass Art
Stained Glass Windows- A Light Unto The Soul
Stained Glass Artisan, Louis C. Tiffany






My Articles


Stained Glass Workshop Safety Tips Whether you are an experienced or new stained glass crafter or artisan, it is..


Supplies For Getting Started In Stained Glass This list is meant to help create a shopping list for the beginning..


Stained Glass Scoring And Breaking - An Art In Itself Scoring and breaking stained glass is an art that you can achieve but..


A Brief History Of Stained Glass Accounts vary on the earliest use of stained glass mainly..



Related Videos:

Related News:

 
No item elements found in rss feed.