Autumn Landscape
Stained glass window, Triptych • Louis Comfort Tiffany (Tiffany Studios)
Style & Movement
Art Nouveau / American Arts and Crafts
Medium & Technique
Favrile glass (opalescent, mottled, and drapery glass), leaded construction, acid-etching, and multi-layering
Creation Period
1923-1924
Dimensions & Format
Approx. 11 x 8.5 feet; Triptych format with a Gothic-arched oak frame.
Subject Description
A lush landscape depicting a mountain valley during sunset in autumn. The composition features a central waterfall cascading into a rocky pool, flanked by vibrant deciduous trees in shades of orange, red, and yellow. The sky utilizes graduated opalescent glass to simulate a glowing twilight.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; currently held in a museum collection with professional conservation.
Estimated Market Value
$10,000,000 - $15,000,000 (Based on historical significance and rarity)
Auction Estimate
$8,000,000 - $12,000,000
Provenance History
Originally commissioned for the estate of Loren Delbert Towle in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; subsequently acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Gift of Robert W. de Forest).
Art Historical Significance
A masterpiece of 20th-century decorative art, this piece exemplifies Tiffany's 'painting with glass' technique. It is highly significant for its scale, complex use of glass textures, and its role in moving stained glass from religious to secular domestic contexts.
Notable Features
Features unique 'confetti' and 'drapery' glass for foliage and water; the depth is achieved through glass layering (plating) rather than surface painting.
Condition Issues
Localized oxidation of lead cames, minor stress cracks typical of aged glass, and accumulation of surface dust (mitigated by museum cleaning).
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain controlled humidity and stable UV-filtered lighting. Periodic inspection of lead structural integrity and seismic mounting for safety.