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
Rights
Public Domain
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. Though research on this specific piece is ongoing, Morse's contribution underscores the growing role of women in American design at the turn of the century. Stained glass, with its labor-intensive techniques of cutting colored glass and leading pieces together, symbolized craftsmanship amid industrialization. Visitors can appreciate how such plans bridged fine art and interior architecture, inviting colorful narratives into lived environments. (178 words)