Design for church interior
Although this drawing lacks an inscription, its striking similarity to another Tiffany Studios work (67.654.60) strongly suggests that it was an alternate design solution for the altar decorations of the Chapel of Angels in St. Michael’s Church, located at West Ninety-Ninth Street and Amsterdam Avenue in New York City.
The triangular pediment is decorated with mosaic, which Tiffany endorsed for its associations with works from antiquity such as the floors at Pompeii and early Christian murals outside Rome. The artist finished the mosaic in this drawing with metallic inks and fine flecks of gouache, suggesting the glittering effect of Favrile glass tesserae. The panels flanking the altar bear the incomplete texts of the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed, filled in with unintelligible lettering as on the banners above, suggesting possible inscriptions.
The triangular pediment is decorated with mosaic, which Tiffany endorsed for its associations with works from antiquity such as the floors at Pompeii and early Christian murals outside Rome. The artist finished the mosaic in this drawing with metallic inks and fine flecks of gouache, suggesting the glittering effect of Favrile glass tesserae. The panels flanking the altar bear the incomplete texts of the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed, filled in with unintelligible lettering as on the banners above, suggesting possible inscriptions.
Artwork Details
- Title: Design for church interior
- Artist: Louis C. Tiffany (American, New York 1848–1933 New York)
- Maker: Possibly Tiffany Glass Company (1885–92)
- Maker: Possibly Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company (American, 1892–1902)
- Maker: Possibly Tiffany Studios (1902–32)
- Date: late 19th–early 20th century
- Geography: Made in New York, United States; Country of Origin USA
- Culture: American
- Medium: Watercolor on paper
- Dimensions: 26 5/8 × 39 15/16 in. (67.6 × 101.5 cm)
Mat: 33 1/2 × 45 1/2 in. (85.1 × 115.6 cm)
Framed (AW CUSTOM): 36 7/8 in. × 49 in. × 1 1/2 in. (93.7 × 124.5 × 3.8 cm) - Credit Line: Purchase, Walter Hoving and Julia T. Weld Gifts and Dodge Fund, 1967
- Object Number: 67.654.305
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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