Exhibition Overview
"Angels Representing Seven Churches," the central element of this exhibit,
are a set of free-standing, eight-foot tall, windows created by Louis Comfort
Tiffany in 1902 at Tiffany Studios in New York City. Originally commissioned
for a church in Cincinnati, the seven windows depict angels that are almost
life-size, illustrating passages from the Bible's Book of Revelation. Although
they form a set, each angel, named according to their Biblical reference, has
different characteristics and their own personality, depicted in glass through
the artistry of Tiffany Studio.
As an estimated half of Tiffany's church windows have been lost, the tour of
this full set of seven rediscovered windows is a unique opportunity to appreciate
both Tiffany's art and his craftsmanship in an intimate museum setting. But
more than an artistic tour de force, and more than an interpretation of a set
of biblical passages, the story of the Seven Angels weaves together history,
art and spirituality The exhibit includes not only the dramatic Tiffany windows,
but is supported by interpretive artifacts, pictures, maps, text and music.
Exhibition Areas
A central darkened display area, for best viewing of the back-lighted windows,
will be encircled by three interpretive sections. A fourth area at the entrance
to the exhibit will display an inviting introduction to In Company with Angels.
History
In 1902 a Swedenborgian church in Ohio commissioned these windows as a gift
for a new sister church. These windows were originally installed in the Church
of the New Jerusalem, in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was dedicated in 1903. The
choice of subject was based on Swedenborgian's understanding of the diversity
and unity of humanity as represented by angels, specifically the angels from
the Book of Revelation.
When the church was torn down for highway construction in 1964, the windows
were crated and later purchased for the Swedenborgian Church at Temenos, in
southeastern Pennsylvania, by donors from across the United States. They were
stored in various garages and sheds for almost four decades until their rediscovery
in 2001. The non-profit organization, In Company with Angels, was created with
the mission of sharing the windows as widely as possible.
Art & Restoration
Stained glass is an art form that has been associated with Christian iconography
since the Middle Ages. However fabrication techniques were little changed until
the late nineteenth century, when members of the Arts and Crafts movement developed
a new aesthetic for the decorative arts incorporating naturalistic themes and
the honest use of materials.
Louis Comfort Tiffany is perhaps the best known of these artists in the medium
of glass, although throughout his life he was also a painter, interior decorator,
landscape designer, and architect. From 1902 to 1932 Tiffany operated his own
glass works, known as Tiffany Studios, where hundreds of craftsmen were employed
to create windows, mosaics, lamps, metalwork, ceramics, and enamels, all of
which were designed or influenced by the artist himself. Tiffany sought innovative
approaches to glass making; developing new techniques for glass layering, use
of colors, and window fabrication.
The Seven Angel windows, while extraordinary examples of Tiffany stained glass,
were in poor condition when they were rediscovered in 2001. Although intact,
the windows showed signs of metal fatigue, distortion, and a variety of other
issues. Fortunately, conservators were able to restore the original windows
using Tiffany's own techniques and materials.
Spirituality
Tiffany's window series "Angels Representing Seven Churches" illustrates the
descriptions in Chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation. This last book of
the Bible, as recorded by the Apostle John, is a symbolic resolution of struggle
between good and evil through the judgment and salvation of humanity.
John writes to "the seven churches that are in Asia" --congregations in what
is today Turkey in Asia Minor-- addressing his letter to the "angel" of each
church. The Swedenborgian Church, which commissioned the windows, has in its
theology that the letters to the seven angels of the churches can be read as
the possibility of seven states that human beings can reach in their journey
of spiritual development.
Object Checklist
Seven (7) stained glass windows, c. 1902, by Tiffany Studios, NYC.
- Ephesus
- Smyrna
- Pergamum
- Thyatira
- Sardis
- Philadelphia
- Laodicea
Seven custom-made boxes to showcase, support, and light each window.
Related materials to accompany the exhibit
- A video of the 2006 restoration produced by Amanda Costa. It will have narration
and dialog, along with a musical background.
- The original bronze dedication plaque from the Cincinnati church, about
4" x 8".
- Digital image, from original photograph, of church chancel with choir, early
20th c.
- Digital image, from original photo, of wedding ceremony in church, early
20th c.
- Digital image of the church's exterior, early 20th c. (original in ANC Archives)
- Music "Meditations on the Seven Angels of Revelation" composed especially
for the Angels by Ken & Laura Turley
- Seven tracks, about 30 minutes total, instrumentation includes voice, piano,
guitar, strings and flugelhorn
- Seven (7) canvas printed 'interpretations' (reproductions of the windows
with the bars digitally removed) one-quarter size framed panels (48" x 13").
These may be used to accompany text about each window · A sample piece of
modern, Tiffany-style layered or opalescent glass.
Further Information
To view images of the art works, please visit our website http://www.incompanywithangels.org/