Shining Art of Tiffany Studios and The Tiffany Girls

by Lynn U. Watson

Among the notable collections in the city of Chicago, art from Louis Comfort Tiffany's glass studios is prominent. You need to know where to look. 

In 1674 Father Jacques Marquette established the first European settlement in the area. This French Jesuit priest interacted with the Native Americans in the area. What would become the city of Chicago was born. 

A landmark building in Chicago's loop, The Marquette Building, is a beautiful tribute to Marquette's story. Growing up in the Chicago area, I was not aware of this treasure. I've learned from my research that many people walk past this jewel on Dearborn Street every day and have no idea what's inside. 

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit. The murals you see below are Tiffany Glass mosaics depicting the story. They are also very difficult to photograph. I've included one close up as well as an attempt to give an idea of the mural surrounding the balcony inside the building. The mural is made up of 200,000 pieces of colored glass and installed in 1895.

Tiffany Glass murals in lobby of Marquette Building, Chicago

personal photos 

Prior to the Tiffany Company works, stained glass was often painted glass. The Louis C. Tiffany Company was established in 1878 in New York City. Through his work, the glass making process evolved, creating intricate color and color blends to make the shiny glimmering pieces allowing light to come through and dazzle the beholder. 

The Marquette murals are among the many examples of the Tiffany art found throughout Chicago. Louis Comfort Tiffany's exhibit at the Columbian Exhibit (Chicago World's Fair) in 1893 earned him 54 medals.

Early in the company's history, Louis recognized the talent that women could bring to this medium. Gentleness, attention to fine detail, finesse handling the glass pieces, their eye for beauty and color. At the time most studios gave full credit to the lead male artist. While women's giftedness in the arts contributed much to his work, it would be years before The Tifffany Girls would be recognized.

Agnes Northrup, Clara Driscoll, and a group of approximately 30 other women were often the artists behind the beautiful works. The women had not been involved in the Marquette murals, but played a huge role in many other pieces. One of those is the 6,000 square foot, 1.6 million-piece dome ceiling of Marshall Fields (now Macy's) in Chicago. 

Tiffany Glass dome ceiling in Marshall Fields, Chicago

personal photo

Observing this gorgeous dome in the Chicago Cultural Center touched me deeply. The building was originally the Chicago Public Library. The dome was installed in 1897. This is the library my mom would have frequented growing up. I stood their mesmerized, imagining her and her friends studying and discovering new books to read while surrounded by all this beauty. 

 The dome was designed by Clara Driscoll, and executed by her team, The Women's Glass Cutting Department. The women became known as The Tiffany Girls. The dome is 38 feet wide. It's 243 sections are comprised of 30,000 pieces of Tiffany Farvile glass.

Tiffany Dome in Chicago Cultural Center, originally the Chicago Public Library

personal photo

The Tiffany Girls' work is prominently featured in the windows of Second Presbyterian Church in Chicago. These photos were taken in 2022. The windows were completely restored this year. Impossible to see in the photos, layering of the glass created depth of color and a feel of movement as light filtered through. The techniques were Louis', but without the work of the Women of the Cutting Room, the results would not be nearly as rich.

 

Agnes began working for Louis Tiffany in the early 1880s, and was the first women's supervisor of The Women's Glass Cutting Department. Clara Driscoll joined the company in 1886. Because the rules were very strict, engaged or married women were not allowed to work at the Tiffany studios. Clara stepped down for three years because of her marriage, but she returned after the tragic death of her husband. She became the supervisor of the department, which employed 30 to 50 women at a time. As supervisor she was paid $10,000 per year, making her one of the highest paid women in New York City at the time.

Tiffany lamps are highly sought after art. Louis Tiffany took credit for the designs. When the dragonfly lamp was introduced at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle and received a bronze medal, it was revealedClara had designed the now famous Dragonfly Tiffany Lamp. She directed her very talented group of ladies in creating the piece.

Tiffany lamps originally sold for $400 to $15,000. They now go at auction for up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most of them were designed by Clara Driscoll. 

Dragonfly Lamp designed and created by Clara Driscoll

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lámpara_Tiffany

Clara Driscoll

https://cy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallmadge,_Ohio

NOTE: Tiffany Glass is found around the world. Since Chicago is the setting for my upcoming book and for a part of the previous book in the Promised Destiny series, I've focused on the Tiffany art in Chicago. There's much more even there, that I have not included. Second Presbyterian Church and the Tiffany lamps are mentioned in the books.

Award-winning author, Lynn U. Watson's journey is a testament to creativity and compassion. Nurtured by her grandmother's love of needlework, Lynn built a custom clothing business and created The Lynn'n Butterfly Collection (x-stitch design leaflets) with her husband Steve. Her creative spirit extended beyond fabric. Lynn became a certified reflexologist, opening Footsteps in Eden, a haven where she uses touch therapy and prayer to relax her clients. Today Lynn, Steve, and their feline overlord, Jasmine, call Bartlett, Tennessee home. You will find Lynn there, Stepping through time, Stitching stories of faith.

A rejected ballet dancer stumbles upon a key leading 

to a mystery quest six generations in the making.

Release Date: February 8, 2027

Pre-Order on Amazon.