Design for stained glass
late 19th century
Medium
architecture, interiors
Classification
architecture, interiors
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Alice C. Morse
Accession Number
2009-6-38
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Design for Stained Glass by Alice Cordelia Morse1863–1961), an American artist active in the late 19 century, offers a glimpse into the ornate world of architectural decoration during America's Gilded Age. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's architecture and interiors collection, this—generously gifted by Morse herself—highlights the era's enthusiasm for stained glass, a medium that transformed everyday spaces into luminous spectacles. These designs were essential for churches, homes, and public buildings, artistry with functionality to filter sunlight into vibrant patterns. Tho...