Tuesday, April 27, 2010

A Rare Glimpse of a Tiffany Window in Green-Wood Cemetery


Brooklyn, New York's, Green-Wood Cemetery dates back to 1838 and was named a National Historic Landmark for its art, architecture, landscaping and history. Its scenic winding paths are lined with trees, hills and ponds.


It was a popular tourist attraction in the 1850s and it was the place where most famous New Yorkers who died during the second half of the nineteenth century were buried.  The New York Times said in 1866 that was the "ambition of the New Yorker to live upon the Fifth Avenue, to take his airings in the (Central) Park, and to sleep with his fathers in Green-Wood."


It is still an operating cemetery with approximately 560,000 graves. In Spring it's 478 acres, which are open to the public to drive through or stroll around, are full of beautiful mature flowering trees


This is the mausoleum of Marcus Daly, 1841 - 1900. Daly was a wealthy Montana copper mine owner.  He had emigrated from Ireland at age fifteen, penniless and without much education. By age 20 he had moved West and worked in silver mines in California and Nevada, and eventually became a prospector for a mining company and found silver mines in Montana. In 1881 he found a massive copper vein in the Anaconda mine of which he had become part owner.  The value of copper at the time was high, as it was needed for the recently invented electric light bulb.   By finding financiers to help build a smelter in Butte, Montana, to process the copper in the mine he was part owner of, Daly soon became wealthy and was known as the "Copper King."


On certain special tours and occasions the mausoleum is opened for public viewing.


The interior of the mausoleum is covered with marble.  Daly and his wife's remains are located in a vault in the rear and above is a magnificent Tiffany stained glass window.


The colors of the glass are deep and luminous!  It is hard to believe that this beautiful window is almost hidden away from view for most of the year.


As the sunlight changes so does the intensity of the colors in some parts of the window. 

I took photographs focused on four quadrants so you can see more detail.  All photos in this post can be enlarged by double clicking on them -- use the back arrow to return to the post.


You can see examples of the opalescent glass which is a signature aspect of Tiffany glass. The light shimmers through with a luminous glow.


Louis Comfort Tiffany mastered the art of drawing in glass and incorporated elements of Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and the other international artistic movements of the era. His unique blend of brilliant color and his technological advances in glass brought him international recognition as a great, if not the greatest, glass maker of his time.








The Daly mausoleum even has a transom of stained glass window above the doors.


For all the opulence of the Tiffany stained glass window in the Daly mausoleum,  Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848 -1933), is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in a simple grave on a nearby hill, with just a small  headstone.



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53 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Great post and photos! The tree blossoms are gorgeous. THe stained glass is a wonderful sight.

Allie and Pattie said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I'm sitting here showing Ray your posts- he's impressed!
xoxo Pattie

Carol said...

Gorgeous photo's, Pat! Great post! Brooklyn has such a rich history! Always enjoy your posts!

Unknown said...

You know Pat, we have a few different types of cemeteries here. The Muslims ones are simple and serene, the Christians ones also ok, and then we have the Chinese ones..which are always spooky looking and one can expect a ghost walking out anytime haha! But this place is beautiful..absolutely stunning, no wonder is so peaceful and calm. I wont mind visiting anytime. Hugs..>M

Ebie said...

The best in the East! It does not even look like a cemetery. The flowers are so pink and radiant! The stained glass windows are superb!

Ms. Bake-it said...

What an awesome cemetery! Great photos and history. Thank you for the tour!

Thank you for stopping by, entering my giveaway and posting it on your sidebar!

~ Tracy

Ciao Chow Linda said...

This is so interesting. I can't imagine having Tiffany windows in your mausoleum, but some people think of everything (and can afford it). Seriously, the springtime tree blossoms are spectacular. another terrific post.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Wonderful photos and history. Copper is very expensive now. That is why it gets stolen out of new homes being built.

Vee said...

Isn't that interesting! Tiffany has no great monument? Incredible. That window is quite possibly the most beautiful stained glass that I've ever seen. Thank you so much for sharing it with us here.

GardenOfDaisies said...

The Tiffany stained glass window is so beautiful. The piece belongs in a museum. What an amazing artist Tiffany was. Very interesting that his own remains lie nearby, but with a simple marker.

RNSANE said...

The Tiffany stained glass window is truly beautiful, of course, but I think nothing can compete with nature's own artistry in the form of those incredible flowering trees reflected in the pond! What a lovely scene.

Kind of sad, isn't it, that the creator of such beautiful stained glass art, has the simplest of graves...perhaps his choice.

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Your pictures are gorgeous!! That first picture could be a post card. It is beautiful!! As always, I so enjoy your tours of NYC. Love & blessings from NC!

myletterstoemily said...

what a lovely visit!

the tiffany stained glass
windows are just exquisite.

thank you for your beautiful
shots.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Pat, I have 'thing' for cemeteries...This one is incredible. Love the flowering trees --and just seeing the cemetery itself.

Beautiful stained-glass windows... BUT--it is kinda ironic, don't you think, that Tiffany (who probably did more for others during his lifetime) is buried in a simple grave and Daly (who did for himself) is in the fancy mausoleum. Think I would choose to be remembered like Tiffany is --rather than Daly....

Hugs,
Betsy

MomMom said...

Loved your post and the beautiful pictures. Also, thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. Stop by again sometime please.

Anonymous said...

ciao bella..

I am now following you because you came to visit me today....read a few of your posts...esp. liked the one about the warnings of heart attack symptoms...
and the walk through this gorgeous post today was nice...

great blog!

I do hope you'll come back to see me again....

ci vediamo presto, si!

Carmelina

steviewren said...

The colors in the Tiffany window are magnificent. I'm surprised by the modesty of his own grave. The blossoms on the trees and the green of the grass is the perfect match for the beauty of the window.

pam said...

Two favorites of mine...stained glass and cemeteries.

dianasfaria.com said...

Amazing stained glass! I love the work of Tiffany. Thanks for sharing this Pat.

Joanne Kennedy said...

I wonder why Tiffany had such a plain headstone. Maybe with all the glamour in life he just wanted his death to be simple...or maybe his wife didn't care about him???

I really think you should be a Big Apple Greeter. You could take visitors to some of the best hidden places that they normally wouldn't see.

You would be good at it.

Hugs,
Joanne

Natasha in Oz said...

Wow that is amazing. I have never seen such a beautiful cemetery.

There are so many places to see in New York that I didn't even know existed. Thank you for another fabulous virtual tour.

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

I loved the tour and the beautiful pics! AMAZING!
Cindy

Tracy said...

That window is just breathtakingly beautiful... I gasped as it came up on the screen just now. And what a wonderful cemetery... now that's a great place to be laid to rest. How ironic though, Tiffany creating all that grandeur with glass... yet he rest quietly, almost unseen with such a simple headstone... I learn so much when I come here. Thanks you, Pat :o) Happy Day ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Beautiful parklike setting!! One thing about death.....it is the great equalizer!! Everyone is the same.....Fabulous Post!!

Hugs,
Marilyn

Suburban Girl said...

A picture perfect window in a picture perfect setting! Both are beautiful.

Jojo said...

The stained glass window is beautiful and it was wonderful to be able to see it by quadrant. Isn't it almost contradictory to see such a simple marker for Mr. Tiffany?

Sea Witch said...

Incredibly beautiful post from the words to all of the photos. The pinks against the lush greenery and blue sky are amazing. LCT was such an artistic genuis in glass. I can spend hours looking at a single work of his. Sea Witch

Old Kitty said...

Oh Pat!

That window was worth waiting for! That is such a treasure and probably really really priceless now so it's so wonderful to see it being used in a spiritual manner. I'm so glad it's not completely closed to the public either!

It is stunning - I've never actually seen a Tiffany creation ever - only in pictures and when they are feautured on the telly - but close up like this makes me appreciate just how amazing Mr Tiffany was!

He gets all different shades of a colour to suggest movement and to capture the light at different intensities.

Absolutely wonderful.

I mustn't forget Mr Daly the Copper King too! What an American Dream! Amazing.

I do like the pink blossoms though. Oh they are so pretty -you really can't ask for a more peaceful and beautiful final resting place.

Take care
x

RoeH said...

I just love stained glass windows. That is so gorgeous. In my church there are two glass windows on either side near the top. And they have an ugly heavy curtain covering each of them. I know it was done for air conditioning purposes as here in AZ windows bring in lots of heat. But still...all that beauty and colors not being seen .....:(

La Petite Gallery said...

Oh Pat,
such a beautiful window. I may copy those trees in my next painting . Love old gnarled trees.
What a pretty place to walk, That Irishman I hope he was goodlooking too.

your horse looks good..
yvonne

Anonymous said...

What an utterly stunning window Pat. I love how the colours run into each other and are then set. So beautiful. I also loved the green with the pink blossom in the 1st photo. Isn't Spring so pretty!

Bonnie said...

Very interesting. That stain glass is beautiful. Thanks for sharing this story.

Proud Italian Cook said...

I want to sit on that bench and gaze out at the water and all those beautiful trees! Your photos are always so inviting Pat!

GailO said...

What an amazing talent Tiffany was...all of his creations were breathtakingly beautiful...You got some wonderful shots of this window Pat...thanks for giving us a chance to see something that we will probably never get a chance to in our lives...

Claudia said...

I am thinking I need to stay out of Manhattan on my next trip to NYC and dwell in Brooklyn. Stunning windows - offset by Mother Nature's grace.

My name is Riet said...

Wow Pat that Tiffany glass is so fantastic. I can keep looking at it. And all those pink blooming trees are wonderful along the paths

Debbiedoos said...

Oh my that place is amazing the trees canopying the path, the stained glass is just breathtaking. Thank you for the lovely tour once again of your city! Love it!

Nola said...

Pat, The photos are beautiful. I'm not sure if I enjoyed the stained glass or the blossoming trees the most; both were lovely.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

What a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos with us.

joanna said...

Great post! It brings back memories for sure. My grandmere lived nearby and when I was very young and visited she and I would take a walk though Greenwood -- some of the monuments are stunning works of art. the landscape is also magnificent. -- so long ago -- nice to see it again. I live in the North West.
I believe they still do guided tours there also.
Joanny
Happy Outdoor Wednesday

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Pat, Thank you for showing us this amazing place! This is just a stunning work of art. I was amazed to see that Tiffany himself had such a simple headstone.
♥, Susan

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Beautiful....the trees and the stained glass. How peaceful and serene.

Maryrose said...

Hi Pat,
This was such an interesting post. I am amazed that Mr. Tiffany had such a modest grave. Those windows were amazing...Thanks for the tour and have a great day.
Thanks for visiting and nice comment
Maryrose

Maryrose said...

Oh ... PS
Your pictures were terrific and I am a fellow Nikon D60 enthusiast :)
Maryrose

Jenny said...

Oh these photos are beautiful! The flowering trees are especially amazing, thank you for sharing!

Atticmag said...

Thanks for the super tour of a precious landmark that's so rich with beauty from another century. Hope you'll stop by and see us if you have time. Jane F.

CailinMarie said...

what a fascinating post! Who would think to walk through the cemetery to see such a gorgeous piece by Tiffany? WOW! Thanks so much for sharing!
Happy Outdoor Wednesday- CailinMarie

Ann said...

Thats got to be one in a million!!! Its so unique and breathtaking. The beauty of the cemetary is just outstanding. What a beautiful place to visit. Thanks for sharing.

Sue said...

What an interesting post and such beautiful images. The trees take my breath away. It really is a shame to hide that window much of the year, it is so beautiful. There is a Tiffany museum near Orlando (Winter Park) and I've been a few times. I wasn't really a fan until I saw all the things that aren't lamps.

Thanks for your visit today!

Sue

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Amazing gorgeousness!!!
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Judy said...

Most beautiful, Pat...and informative as well. Thanks.

nycstylelittlecannoli said...

gorgeous colorful post! I will be in the city Saturday - hopefully not sweating too much! have a great weekend!!

Kathleen said...

That was interesting, and the window is fabulous. A tiny little shamrock hidden somewhere would have been sweet! I don't think any of my Irish relatives are buried there...not rich enough.:(