Louis Comfort Tiffany was an American artist and designer who worked in the decorative arts and is best known for his work in stained glass. He is the American artist most associated with the Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movements. Born on February 18, 1848, in New York City, Tiffany was the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany, founder of Tiffany & Co., and Harriet Olivia Avery Young.

Early Life and Training

Tiffany attended school at Pennsylvania Military Academy in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Eagleswood Military Academy in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. His first artistic training was as a painter, studying under George Inness in Eagleswood, New Jersey, and Samuel Colman in Irvington, New York. He also studied at the National Academy of Design in New York City in 1866–67 and with salon painter Leon-Adolphe-Auguste Belly in 1868–69.

Career and Contributions

Tiffany started out as a painter but became interested in glassmaking from about 1875. He worked at several glasshouses in Brooklyn between then and 1878. In 1879, he joined with Candace Wheeler, Samuel Colman, and Lockwood de Forest to form Louis Comfort Tiffany and Associated American Artists. The business was short-lived, lasting only four years. However, it marked the beginning of Tiffany's journey in stained glass. Tiffany's leadership and talent, as well as his father's money and connections, led this business to thrive. He later opened his own glass factory in Corona, New York, determined to provide designs that improved the quality of contemporary glass. In 1881, he did the interior design of the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut.

• Tiffany's work can be seen in various museums, including the New Orleans Museum of Art, which features his Untitled Vase.
• His designs for stained glass windows and lamps are also showcased at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass in Neenah, United States.
• Tiffany's Design for a window is another notable example of his work, featuring subtle, shaded, ethereal hues.

Legacy and Impact

Tiffany's contributions to the world of stained glass and Art Nouveau are immeasurable. He developed the "copper foil" technique, which made possible a level of detail previously unknown in stained glass. His use of opalescent glass in a variety of colors and textures created a unique style that is still admired today. Tiffany's work can be found on WahooArt.com, which features an extensive collection of his stained glass windows, lamps, and other decorative arts. The website also offers prints and reproductions of Tiffany's work, allowing art lovers to appreciate his designs in their own homes. Tiffany passed away on January 17, 1933, but his legacy lives on through his stunning works of stained glass and Art Nouveau. His contributions to the world of decorative arts continue to inspire artists and designers today. For more information about Louis Comfort Tiffany and his work, visit The Philip Hahn Collection on WahooArt.com or check out the Tiffany & Co. website for a glimpse into his life and work.