Looking to the Sea
American Memorial Windows:
Looking to the Sea
Tiffany Studios
Detail of Looking to the Sea
Tiffany Studios
Looking to the Sea
TIFFANY STUDIOS
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Types of glass: 1. Opalescent 2. Mild Drapery 3. Mottled 4. Striated 5. Nodular 6. Acid Etched Flash 7. Kokomo Granite Catspaw
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Painting on hair, face, and hands
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Multilayers
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After 1915
This window was installed in the early part of the 20th century at St. John’s Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Founded in 1706, St. John’s is one of the oldest parishes in New Jersey. It is also a large parish with seating for 1,000 congregants. During better times, the church established a healthy endowment fund and installed stained glass windows, including at least six by Tiffany.
But with a downturn in the economy and a decrease in the population of Elizabeth, the parish found its financial resources depleted. Thus, it sold some of its stained glass windows to raise money for building repairs. The Museum’s collection includes three windows from St. John’s Church.
SPECIAL FEATURES
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The sea is a major character in this window. The waves have been expertly created using two techniques. The waves in the forefront are plated with nodular glass on top of striated glass. The waves in the background are painted. The artist seamlessly blended the plated glass and the painted glass.
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The artist finely executed the other details of this window as well. The woman looks wistfully out to sea. Her longing is evident in her expression and stance. Could she be waiting for a loved one to return home? The folds in her robe have been created using mild drapery glass. She stands on a realistic promontory consisting of craggy rockwork. And painted and acid etched glass give the plants near her feet their texture.
Detail of Looking to the Sea
Tiffany Studios
Nodular glass detail of Looking to the Sea
Tiffany Studios