Title
Trompe L'Oeil Curtain
Object Type
Creator
Date
1882-1884
Notes
The unusual nature of this trompe l'oeil, or illusionistic, window is consistent with the eclectic career of John La Farge. The artist was celebrated in Newport and the rest of the United States for his pioneering work in stained glass, his accomplishments in watercolor, oil, illustration, interior decoration, and art criticism. The window is one of a matching pair, planned for the home of Judge Thomas Ellwood Grover, in Canton, Massachusetts.
The strikingly abstract configuration of glass in this window has no known precedent in La Farge's work. As the two matching panels were at either end of two adjoining hollyhock panels, and above two panels with clear glass inserts, it would appear as if La Farge was attempting to create the effect of pulled drapes over clear sash windows. Judge Grover wanted to be able to see outside, and the windows were very prominent in the living room. The matching panel to the tromp l'oeil window, as well as one of the hollyhock windows, are in the collection of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. (Information courtesy of Dr. James Yarnall)
The strikingly abstract configuration of glass in this window has no known precedent in La Farge's work. As the two matching panels were at either end of two adjoining hollyhock panels, and above two panels with clear glass inserts, it would appear as if La Farge was attempting to create the effect of pulled drapes over clear sash windows. Judge Grover wanted to be able to see outside, and the windows were very prominent in the living room. The matching panel to the tromp l'oeil window, as well as one of the hollyhock windows, are in the collection of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. (Information courtesy of Dr. James Yarnall)
Cultural Origin
New York
Medium
Leaded opalescent glass
Extent
overall: 39 1/2 x 28 in.
Source
Gift of. Stephen J. Warner
Identifier
1995.004.001
For more information about this item, please contact its owning institution.