The hidden women behind a Tiffany masterpiece have returned to the light
For decades, a breathtaking three-part Tiffany window remained hidden in private collections. Now back at The Met, this lush garden landscape reveals a surprising truth: the masterpiece was not just the work of Louis C. Tiffany, but a collaborative triumph of female vision and skill.
The 'Garden Landscape' window, a stunning display of leaded Favrile glass, has recently found its permanent home in the American Wing of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The piece was originally commissioned in 1912 for Linden Hall, a grand estate in Dawson, Pennsylvania. This estate was the creation of Sarah Cochran, a prominent Pittsburgh businesswoman, philanthropist, and suffragist. While the name Louis C. Tiffany is often synonymous with this era of glasswork, the window’s origins highlight a much more diverse creative lineage.
The artistry behind the window was driven by women at every stage of production. The design was the work of Agnes Northrop, one of the premier designers at Tiffany Studios. Furthermore, the physical realization of the window—which required the precise cutting of thousands of glass pieces into incredibly difficult shapes—was performed by Tiffany’s skilled artisans, many of whom were women. This collaborative effort showcases the significant, though frequently overlooked, role women played in the studio's technical and aesthetic achievements.
The window's journey back to public view is a story of persistence. Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, the curator of American Decorative Arts at The Met, first encountered photographs of the work twenty years ago but saw it disappear into private hands. Its recent return to the museum's collection allowed curators and conservators, such as Drew Anderson, to study and prepare the work for installation. Today, the window stands as a testament to the intersection of female entrepreneurship, design, and craftsmanship in the early 20th century.
Source: A New Home for the Tiffany "Garden Landscape" Window
