Morse Beauty

Culturally Speaking, Central Florida Has It All

By Eryn Reddell Wingert

Take a break from the beauty nature has to offer in Central Florida and enter a world of culture, opulence, and reverence. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park is home to a grandiose collection of Louis C. Tiffany works of art in glass, pottery, metal, and watercolor. It’s an immersive experience into the elements of Tiffany’s life, beautifully exhibited at the Morse Museum. The entrance to the world of Tiffany features a wallsized leaded glass floral design framing an illuminated sculpted figure. Take your time in the adjacent gallery where back-lit leaded glass windows are displayed. Linger and marvel at each expertly crafted piece. The undeniable highlights of the ongoing Tiffany exhibit at the Morse is the Tiffany Chapel. Positioned initially out of view behind a heavy, wooden carved door, once revealed it is simply spectacular. The Morse Museum is home to the most extensive Louis C. Tiffany collection of work, which includes numerous leaded glass pieces. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

Light shines through colorfully ornate leaded glass windows at the Morse Museum. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

The Tiffany Chapel was originally created for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 by the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company. The 1,082 chapel was created to showcase the company’s craftsmanship of religious pieces. The ornately carved arches that frame the white glass mosaic altar; thousand pound cross-shaped chandelier; domed baptismal font; and leaded glass windows were painstakingly collected by the museum founders. The Tiffany Chapel was reassembled at the Morse and opened to the public in 1999 for the first time in over 100 years. While Tiffany is synonymous with glass art, the artist also worked in other mediums, including pottery. The Morse’s ongoing display of Tiffany pottery is equally as beautiful and captivating as his more known works of art. The Laurelton Hall Exhibit within the museum showcases elements of Tiffany’s Long Island estate, offering a truly immersive experience into the artist’s life. In addition to the remarkable Tiffany exhibits, The Stebbins Collection: A Gift for the Morse Museum is an ongoing display featuring seventy works by fifty-three artists dating from the 1800’s and early 1900’s. Each piece was dutifully and thoughtfully curated and compliments the Tiffany collection. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is located at 445 North Park, Winter Park, Florida. The Morse is open to the public by appointment and walk-in .Tuesdays through Saturdays, and Sunday afternoons. Visit moresemuseum.org to reserve tickets and for visitor information. A variety of Tiffany lamps are part of the permanent collection at the Morse Museum. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

A Louis Comfort Tiffany pottery piece on exhibit at the Morse Museum in Winter Park. (Eryn Reddell Wingert) The electric cross-shaped Tiffany chandelier weighs 1,000 pounds and measures 10 feet by 8 feet. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

The Tiffany Chapel was moved from Tiffany’s abandoned Long Island estate and re-established at the Morse in Winter Park, Florida. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

A leaded glass pattern and tools are part of the exhibit showcasing elements of Tiffany’s artistic talent, career, and life. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)