Tiffany Lamps and Windows Illuminated in the Special Exhibition
Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light at the MSV June 1–September 1, 2019
UPDATE 8/22/19: THIS EXHIBITION’S MSV DISPLAY HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 8, 2019!
Winchester, VA 6/01/2019 . . .Some of the most iconic works of the famous Tiffany Studios are now on view in the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV). The special exhibition Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light runs through September 1, 2019.
As a painter, Louis C. Tiffany (1848–1933) was captivated by the interplay of light and shadows across landscapes, and this fascination found its expression in his glass “paintings.” As his artistic and business interests expanded into interior design and the decorative arts, Tiffany formed artistic firms where hundreds of artists and artisans created leaded-glass windows, lamps, mosaics, glassware, enamels, ceramics, metalwork, furniture, and textiles. A leading tastemaker of the late nineteenth century, Louis Tiffany achieved international acclaim for his design, craftsmanship, and innovative use of glass.
Organized by The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass, Queens, New York, Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light presents 19 lamps and five windows made between 1897 and 1910 by Tiffany Studios. In addition, the exhibition illustrates the labor-intensive process of making leaded-glass shades, details the different types of glass used by Tiffany, highlights the contributions of key Tiffany chemists and designers, and explores the topic of authenticity through the display of three Tiffany lamp forgeries.
According to MSV Director of Exhibitions Corwyn Garman, the exhibition offers visitors the special opportunity to see both rare and iconic works made by Tiffany Studios, including a one-of-a-kind hanging shade and a beautiful example of Tiffany’s iconic Wisteria lamp design.
The only known Tiffany shade of its kind, the Dragonfly Hanging Shade was made around 1905 and features a swarm of glass dragonflies set among turquoise glass jewels on a yellow opalescent glass background. The exhibition includes a Wisteria Library Lamp, one of the most iconic lamp designs produced by Tiffany Studios. Made around 1901 and on a tree-trunk bronze base, the lamp’s complex pattern is comprised of nearly 2,000 pieces of glass.
Several programs are taking place at the MSV in conjunction with Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light, including an Art Nouveau jewelry workshop (June 7 & 8), a glass-themed Gallery Explorers program for ages 4+ (June 15 and June 18), guided gallery talks of the Tiffany exhibition (June 16 and 21, August 16 and 25), a guided photo shoot in the gardens (June 26), a free story time for ages 2 to 5 (July 10), a painted glass workshop for rising 5th to 8th graders (August 1), a panel discussion on women in the arts (August 4), and glass-painting workshop for adults (August 24). Advance registration for these programs, except July’s story time, is required. Those interested in registering may do so on www.theMSV.org or by calling 540-662-1473, extension 240.
Media sponsorship for Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light is provided by Shenandoah Country Q102.
A regional cultural center, the MSV is located at 901 Amherst Street in Winchester, Virginia. The MSV includes galleries displaying permanent collections and rotating exhibitions, the Glen Burnie House, seven acres of gardens, and is the future home of The Trails at the MSV, a 90-acre art park with three miles of trails. The MSV is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $10 or $8 for seniors and youth ages 13 to 18. General admission is always free to youth ages 12 and under and to MSV Members. Thanks to corporate partner Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc., admission is free to all every Wednesday. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the MSV is open free of charge each Wednesday until 8 p.m. Additional details are available at www.theMSV.org or by calling 540-662-1473, ext. 235. –END–
