Louis C. Tiffany: Master of Many Artistic Mediums

By: Earl Garber

Born into a world of art and creative expression Louis Comfort Tiffany went on to become a master of many artistic mediums. Combining his artistic skill with an innovative business savvy, Tiffany brought decorative pieces in many mediums into not only the homes of the wealthy but the emerging middle class as well.

The son of Charles Lewis Tiffany, jeweler and founder of the famous New York store Tiffany and Co., Louis did not begin his artistic endeavors in diamonds despite this being the family business. Instead he spent a significant amount of his early years in the studio of George Inness. Inness was at one time the premier American painter in the style of the French Barbizon school. Tiffany was the only pupil that Inness ever instructed and within one year his paintings were being exhibited by the National Academy of Design.

With this great start in painting Tiffany decided to visit Europe where his father had recently opened new stores. On this trip he was able to study under other artists and Samuel Colman taught him watercolor as well as sketching. This sketching of artistic ideas is one that he would use later on when designing Tiffany lamps and stained glass panels for his studio. While continuing his travels in Islamic countries Tiffany spent substantial time taking in the local colors and textiles while sketching everything around him.

With his travels and early painting success under his belt Tiffany returned home and began his first business venture in 1878. It was this business in which he began using his new technique of Favril glass. The predominate use of this glass at the time was to create decorative glass tiles. It was also during this time that Tiffany began creating some of his early stained glass panels. He would use the skills he picked up abroad to sketch out designs that would come to be some of the most desired pieces for churches and the homes of the wealthy. These stained glass panels were the core business of the Tiffany Studios in New York.

The opalescent glass used in the windows went on to become the basis for the Tiffany lamps that are now so popular with antique collectors. These gorgeous table lamps, floor lamps, and others were functional pieces of art. Many feel that Louis Tiffany was one of the greatest ever at using light and color with glass to create beautiful pieces for homes.

Article Source: https://www.collectibles-articles.com

All Things Tiffany is the internet source for Tiffany lamps, stained glass panels, and other Tiffany style products.

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