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Old Masters to 19th Century
Louis Comfort Tiffany, Vitrages, "Saint Martin and Saint Dorcas"
Saint Martin and Saint Dorcas, were erected in the architectural niches incorporated in the original Church of Boston, for which they were created in 1895. Tiffany was a gifted and versatile artist, famous for his exquisite lampshades and stained glass windows, jewelry, candlesticks, mosaics, ceramics and vases. The two stained-glass windows were produced for the Unitarian Church in Boston and were donated by the widow of a textile magnate, and the choice of the Saint Martin and Saint Dorcas was natural, since they are associated with clothing, and symbolize charity and loving-kindness.
Saint Martin of Tours lived in the 4th century in Italy, and wanted to become a hermit, but was forced to follows his father and to serve in the army. According to legend, he was passing by the gates of Amiens and came across a poor, naked beggar. At this sight, Martinus cut his own cloak with his sword and gave half of it to the beggar. The following night Christ appeared to him in a dream and it became clear to him that the beggar was actually Jesus. Following this revelation, he converted to Christianity and was declared a saint. Dorcas or Tabitha was a young Jewish woman living in Jaffa in the first century of the Common Era. Her entire life was dedicated to sewing and clothing widows and orphans. At an early age, she became ill and died, but Saint Peter was summoned and beseeched in prayer: "Dorcas, Rise!," and a miracle occurred and she revived, and became a saint, symbolizing charity and assistance to fellow man.
Tiffany would make sure to use hand produced glass in his vitrages, using medieval techniques, to which he added and improved on. The folds of the cloth are depicted in 3-dimensional glass, the mixture of colors are done during the production process, layering one layer over another, to create a marbleizing effect. The facial features, hands and legs are drawn directly on the glass.
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Tiffany's vitrages are known for the wealth of floral motifs, while in the windows before us a religious legend is predominant. Tiffany was influenced by many sources: Renaissance painting, the pre-Raphaelite style, the Arts & Crafts Movement, developed in England in this period, French 19th century painters, and the neo-Gothic style.
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