The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art The Museum is home to the most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Its collection was built over a half-century by Mrs.
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Of the many unexpected pleasures awaiting visitors to Central Florida, none may be as dazzling as a stroll through the galleries of The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by American designer Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933). Highlights include the restored Byzantine-Romanesque chapel interior that Tiffany designed for the 1893

World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and a new wing that showcases the Museum’s collection of art and architectural objects from Tiffany’s celebrated Long Island home, Laurelton Hall. The galleries support the first permanent exhibition of these objects. The recently restored Daffodil Terrace, prize-winning leaded-glass windows, iconic Tiffany lamps, and custom furnishings are among the featured installations. Visitors will also enjoy the exhibits of American art pottery, Arts and Crafts furnishings, and late 19th- and early 20th-century American painting and graphics. The Morse was founded by Jeannette Genius McKean (1909-89) in 1942 and named for her industrialist grandfather. McKean and her husband, Hugh F. McKean (1908-95), the museum’s director until his death.

Inspired by Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Pony Wistaria design, the miniature Tiffany lamp reproduction stands 4 1/2 inches ta...
09/18/2024

Inspired by Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Pony Wistaria design, the miniature Tiffany lamp reproduction stands 4 1/2 inches tall. Flawlessly packed in a small Tiffany Studios-inspired wooden crate, this enamel-and-resin ornament is a fabulous addition to an unrivaled collection of miniatures from the Morse Museum. The lamp reproduction, with its flowering vines, may be displayed as a miniature or hung as an ornament. Available exclusively at the Morse Museum Shop in-store and online.

LEARN MORE
shop.morsemuseum.org
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Would you like to receive our monthly update by email about our exhibitions, programs, and events? Sign up to receive ou...
09/04/2024

Would you like to receive our monthly update by email about our exhibitions, programs, and events? Sign up to receive our e-news straight to your inbox. Click the link below to join!

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https://morsemuseum.org/e-newsletter-sign-up-form/
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For this c. 1910 ring from Louis Comfort Tiffany’s line of art jewelry, a brilliant tourmaline is surrounded by blue gem...
08/29/2024

For this c. 1910 ring from Louis Comfort Tiffany’s line of art jewelry, a brilliant tourmaline is surrounded by blue gemstones entwined in leafy gold vines. Tiffany (1848–1933), who introduced his line of jewelry in 1904, often executed his innovative creations using the organic forms that inspired him in glass. Unlike the use of precious gems for which his father, Charles Lewis Tiffany (1812–1902) of Tiffany & Co., was known, Louis Tiffany’s jewelry frequently incorporated semiprecious stones.

ON VIEW
“Art Jewelry, Favrile Metalwork & Precious Glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany”
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Alvan Fisher (1792–1863) was a pioneering Boston-based landscape painter who, like many of his contemporaries, sought to...
08/26/2024

Alvan Fisher (1792–1863) was a pioneering Boston-based landscape painter who, like many of his contemporaries, sought to capture the most celebrated landscape in nineteenth-century America—Niagara Falls. In his piece “Sketch of Horseshoe Falls,” c. 1829, Fisher uses wash on paper (10 1/2 x 15 1/2 in.) to convey the majesty and unbridled strength of the falls. The serene rainbow and beautiful mist are counterbalanced by toppled trees and snapped trunks in the foreground. Fisher often used drawings like this as references while working in his studio, where he created paintings and final sketches of Niagara Falls.
Gift of Theodore E. and Susan Cragg Stebbins.

ON VIEW
“Fascinating Clutter: American Taste during the Reign of Victoria”
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Once popular cabinet collectibles, tiny Tiffany glass vases such as this one c. 1899, stand at less than 2 1/2 inches ta...
08/23/2024

Once popular cabinet collectibles, tiny Tiffany glass vases such as this one c. 1899, stand at less than 2 1/2 inches tall! Louis Comfort Tiffany (1948–1933) introduced his art glass in 1893. The artist was so successful in building his reputation that the possession of a Tiffany object, small or large, marked the owner as a person of sophistication and fine taste.

ON VIEW
“Art Jewelry, Favrile Metalwork & Precious Glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany”
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It's Member Appreciation Day at the Morse Museum! Members receive a fabulous 20% off in-store and online today (sale mer...
08/20/2024

It's Member Appreciation Day at the Morse Museum! Members receive a fabulous 20% off in-store and online today (sale merchandise excluded). Treat yourself or surprise a loved one with a beautiful gift while supporting the Museum.
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You are invited to become a member of the Morse Museum! Learn more about our exciting collection, participate in a varie...
08/19/2024

You are invited to become a member of the Morse Museum! Learn more about our exciting collection, participate in a variety of informative programs, and enjoy time with others who are bound by their mutual appreciation for art and the educational mission of this Museum. As a member, enjoy free admission to the Museum all year, exclusive invitations to member programs, such as receptions, luncheons, trips, and guest passes to share with friends and family. Plus, receive a 10% discount in the Museum Shop (20% on Member Appreciation Days).

Apply for membership on our website or call us at 407-645-5311, extension 115.

LEARN MORE
morsemuseum.org/membership
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Until the mid-19th century, iridescence—a mesmerizing optical light effect—was a natural wonder, visible only in nature....
08/17/2024

Until the mid-19th century, iridescence—a mesmerizing optical light effect—was a natural wonder, visible only in nature. However, when archaeologists began uncovering ancient glass that had developed this iridescent quality due to centuries of exposure to minerals, metals, and salts in the soil, it sparked a revolution. The newly discovered iridized antique glass inspired the premier decorative art studios of the West, including Louis Comfort Tiffany’s firm in the United States and Glasfabrik Johann Loetz Witwe in Europe. By replicating the chemical effects of soil elements, leading artists of the period developed variations of this shimmering surface. Glass with an iridescent appearance is sometimes created by adding metallic materials to the primary ingredients of glass.
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Vase, c. 1902. Blown glass; Glasfabrik Johann Loetz Witwe, Klostermühle, Bohemia (now Czechia), 1836–1947; h: 6 1/2 in. (1998-009).

ON VIEW
“Iridescence—A Celebration”
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British illustrator Walter Crane, born in 1845, was internationally known and respected for his influential work in ch...
08/15/2024

British illustrator Walter Crane, born in 1845, was internationally known and respected for his influential work in children’s books. Although not currently on view, these beautiful pages are from the Museum's copy of "Flora’s Feast: A Masque of Flowers," published by Cassell and Company, London, 1889. ⠀
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This magnificent peacock and pink peonies in peak bloom window, c. 1900–10, from Tiffany Studios (1902–32), is the answe...
08/14/2024

This magnificent peacock and pink peonies in peak bloom window, c. 1900–10, from Tiffany Studios (1902–32), is the answer to yesterday's quiz. The peacock is perched royally on a classical balustrade underneath a vine-drenched trellis. No matter what difficulties were to be found in the world outside, this six-by-five-foot domestic window allowed only light, color, and beauty into the owner's household.

ON VIEW
“Revival & Reform—Eclecticism in the 19th-Century Environment”
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Can you guess which Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) window at the Morse features this detail? Leave your guesses in th...
08/13/2024

Can you guess which Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) window at the Morse features this detail? Leave your guesses in the comments, and tomorrow we will post the full work.
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Born day in 1819, Martin Johnson Heade (1819–1904) once wrote, "From early boyhood I have been almost a monomaniac on ...
08/11/2024

Born day in 1819, Martin Johnson Heade (1819–1904) once wrote, "From early boyhood I have been almost a monomaniac on hummingbirds." He dreamed of going to South America to see the many species there, and between 1861 and 1863, he painted numerous landscapes and seascapes of all sizes to raise funds for his planned trip to Brazil. Reaching Rio de Janeiro in late September 1863, he spent over six months painting as many hummingbird species as he could find in the city's environs in the hopes of publishing a book. This 12 x 10 in. print, "Brazilian Hummingbirds II" c. 1864–65, is one of the few existing lithographs from the unfinished project and is enhanced with touches of oil paint.
Gift of Theodore E. and Susan Cragg Stebbins.
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In celebration of , we are featuring the Morse Museum’s Study Gallery. It features approximately 150 books and was crea...
08/09/2024

In celebration of , we are featuring the Morse Museum’s Study Gallery. It features approximately 150 books and was created to enhance understanding of Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) and his Long Island country estate, Laurelton Hall.

Most of the titles available for reading and browsing are copies of those that were in Tiffany’s library at Laurelton Hall. The Parke-Bernet Galleries in New York City held a public auction of items from Tiffany’s estate in September of 1946. The sales catalogue and other sources revealed a partial list of books that Tiffany had in his collection at Laurelton Hall. These books covered a wide variety of topics—from art and architecture to horticulture and literature—and were no doubt an important source of inspiration for the artist.

PLAN YOUR VISIT
morsemuseum.org
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Today, we celebrate with “Cyrus,” a beloved cat painted by Frederic Edwin Church (1826–1900) in 1883. This 11 5/8 x 10...
08/08/2024

Today, we celebrate with “Cyrus,” a beloved cat painted by Frederic Edwin Church (1826–1900) in 1883. This 11 5/8 x 10 in. oil painting shows a playful side of Church’s work. Cyrus, a Persian kitten, was a gift for Church’s daughter. On October 30, 1883, Church sent a letter with this sketch of the feline to Dr. Johnson of New York City, thanking him for the gift.
Gift of Theodore E. and Susan Cragg Stebbins.

ON VIEW
“Fascinating Clutter: American Taste during the Reign of Victoria”
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Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) distinguished his pottery with complex glazing and forms based on a wide variety of so...
08/02/2024

Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) distinguished his pottery with complex glazing and forms based on a wide variety of sources. Motifs from the natural world predominate in Tiffany’s pottery. Seedpods, artichokes, water lilies and more have been reproduced in clay with astonishing realism. Most Tiffany pottery was made in limited castings from molds and then finished by hand. Each was unique.
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First image: Bowl, c. 1910. Fish; unglazed and glazed white clay; Edith Wilhelmine Wessel Lautrup, Danish, 1875–1963 (designer); diameter: 7 1/4 in.

Second image: Bowl, c. 1910. Fish; Bronze Pottery line; electroplated and glazed white clay; Edith Wilhelmine Wessel Lautrup, Danish, 1875–1963 (designer); diameter: 7 1/4 in.

Third image: Bowl, c. 1910. Fish; glazed white clay; Edith Wilhelmine Wessel Lautrup, Danish, 1875–1963 (designer); diameter: 7 1/4 in.
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ON VIEW
“Rare and Remarkable—Art Pottery of Louis Comfort Tiffany”
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07/31/2024

Several celebrations for each season

In this c. 1905 transom by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933), two parrots perch on a fruit tree. With their vibrant and ...
07/31/2024

In this c. 1905 transom by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933), two parrots perch on a fruit tree. With their vibrant and captivating colors, the parrots' heads beautifully contrast against the deep shadows of the branches. At 16 x 27 in., it's a true testament to Tiffany's unparalleled artistry and ability to blend nature's beauty seamlessly with breathtaking colors.

ON VIEW
“Revival & Reform—Eclecticism in the 19th-Century Environment”
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07/29/2024

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art celebrated local history during its April 12 Neon Night event with a piece from its collection of Orlando area business signs.

Here is a photograph Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) took in St. Augustine, Florida, perhaps around 1883. Tiffany embr...
07/27/2024

Here is a photograph Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) took in St. Augustine, Florida, perhaps around 1883. Tiffany embraced the relatively new invention of photography enthusiastically, joining one of New York's photography clubs in the early 1880s. Tiffany built darkrooms in his homes, organized photography expeditions, and took photographs during trips in the United States and abroad.
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From jewelry to leaded-glass windows and lamps, the Morse houses the most comprehensive collection of works by the Ameri...
07/23/2024

From jewelry to leaded-glass windows and lamps, the Morse houses the most comprehensive collection of works by the American artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933).

PLAN YOUR VISIT
Tuesday–Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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07/19/2024

Make Friday a family day out on SunRail! Hop on and head to Winter Park for The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art's Friday Family Films on July 19! 🎬

The adventure begins at 10:00 a.m. with a short film, followed by a gallery tour and an art project inspired by the museum’s collection.

This 90-minute program is perfect for elementary school-aged kids and their guardians. Spots are limited, so make sure to reserve yours! Visit MorseMuseum.org to register and visit SunRail.com to plan your trip!

Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) and his family vacationed in Somesville, Maine. From July 6 through September 14, 1888...
07/15/2024

Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) and his family vacationed in Somesville, Maine. From July 6 through September 14, 1888, several family members including Tiffany’s second wife, Louise, his son, Charles Lewis, daughter, Mary, and twins Comfort and Julia, stayed at this popular island resort. Strolling through the countryside and taking in the sights was a way to get out into nature and spend quality time together during the summer months. This oil-on-canvas painting entitled “My Family at Somesville,” c. 1888, is believed to depict Tiffany’s family and their nurse during an outing.

ON VIEW
Other Rooms gallery, “Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Laurelton Hall”
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The design for this jewel box, c. 1913–14, was inspired by Louis Comfort Tiffany's leaded-glass window depicting the fou...
07/11/2024

The design for this jewel box, c. 1913–14, was inspired by Louis Comfort Tiffany's leaded-glass window depicting the four seasons. The gold-and-enamel box has opal, sapphire, and amethyst accents.

ON VIEW
“Art Jewelry, Favrile Metalwork & Precious Glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany”
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In this watercolor-and-graphite design on paper, Alice Carmen Gouvy (1863–1924) not only captured the bell peppers’ shap...
07/09/2024

In this watercolor-and-graphite design on paper, Alice Carmen Gouvy (1863–1924) not only captured the bell peppers’ shape and sheen, but she also painted the colors of the vegetable so well that one can discern its stage of ripeness. Although a beautiful work of art in its own right, this c. 1901 painting was a working document. Watercolors, to the best effect, conveyed the imagery that Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) sought to translate into pottery or enamel pieces that portrayed naturalistic details.⠀

ON VIEW
“Watercolors from Louis Comfort Tiffany’s ‘Little Arcadia’”
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07/09/2024

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art (Website) is hosting its annual summer sale this month and you can save some big bucks. Through July 27, museum visitors can save up to 50% on selected merchandise related to the museum’s collection. The sale includes jewelry, ceramics, books, childr...

Cool off this weekend with a visit to the Morse Museum.Weekend hours are Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m.–...
07/06/2024

Cool off this weekend with a visit to the Morse Museum.
Weekend hours are Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m.–4 p.m.

PLAN YOUR VISIT
morsemuseum.org
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Wishing you a happy ! The Morse Museum is today from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration also marks the Museum's move...
07/04/2024

Wishing you a happy ! The Morse Museum is today from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration also marks the Museum's move to Park Avenue on the Fourth of July in 1995. Our Paul Revere creamer, c. 1798, and the timeless signed baseball—signatories include Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, and Babe Ruth—will be on exhibit. While exploring our galleries, keep an eye out for Mr. Tiffany himself. Who knows, you might just catch a glimpse of him in the Daffodil Terrace.

LEARN MORE
morsemuseum.org
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The Morse Museum Shop is hosting its annual summer sale. Through the end of the month, save 50% on selected merchandise ...
07/03/2024

The Morse Museum Shop is hosting its annual summer sale. Through the end of the month, save 50% on selected merchandise related to the Museum’s collection. The sale includes various items such as jewelry, ceramics, books, children’s gifts, and more. The summer sale will last through Saturday, July 27.
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This 1882 mazarine blue pitcher by Rookwood Pottery (1880–1967) is on exhibition in “Fascinating Clutter: American Taste...
07/01/2024

This 1882 mazarine blue pitcher by Rookwood Pottery (1880–1967) is on exhibition in “Fascinating Clutter: American Taste during the Reign of Victoria.” The vase stands 12 1/4 in. tall and has a slender neck and modern-looking geometric handles.

ON VIEW
“Fascinating Clutter: American Taste during the Reign of Victoria”
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07/01/2024

29 years of tradition! 🇺🇸
FULL DETAILS 👉 bit.ly/3VMGv1d

29th annual 4th of July Celebration 👇
🗓️ Tuesday, July 4
⏰ 9 - 11 a.m.
📍 Central Park & West Meadow

In addition to festivities in Central Park & the West Meadow, our friends at The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. [free admission]. You can also visit the Winter Park History Museum's current exhibition, Hello Sunshine! Selling Florida Through the Art of Postcards [always free admission]. 😊

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445 N Park Avenue
Winter Park, FL
32789

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4pm
Friday 9:30am - 4pm
Saturday 9:30am - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

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In 1905, today in Tiffany history, Long Islander reported: "L. C. Tiffany has received a handsome French automobile at his country home at Laurelton [Hall on Long Island]. He has a French chauffeur to run it." What a thing to make the papers! To see Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) driving—albeit in a different car—in the Briars, later around 1910, watch the clip! For more points in Tiffany history like this, as well as major events in the prolific artist’s personal life and career, visit the Morse Museum’s Louis Comfort Tiffany Chronology. https://buff.ly/2El2yXe

Morse Museum Stebbins Promo Audio
Morse Museum Stebbins Promo Audio

It's finally here! "The Stebbins Collection: A Gift for the Morse Museum" is now open for viewing. This exhibition of new works added to the Morse's collection displays American landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and more! To find out more, watch the video below! https://buff.ly/3mW8uKm

This week is the last chance to see “Earth into Art—The Flowering of American Art Pottery.” Closing Sunday, October 3, this exhibition displays this art form, a distinctly American achievement, born at the end of the 19th century by women. https://buff.ly/3i8jtuV

Produce
Produce

Today is International Museum Day, and what better way to celebrate than with a sensational piece by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933) currently on view at the Morse Museum? Tiffany’s famous peacock necklace, arguably the designer's most important existing work in art jewelry. The work has two faces. One side features a peacock mosaic of opals and enamels surrounded by amethysts and sapphires. Even grander, 115 years ago this piece was put on display, exhibited by Tiffany Studios (1902–32) at the Paris Salon, from May through June in 1906. The necklace may now be seen taking center stage in the Morse Museum’s art jewelry exhibition. To learn more about the peacock necklace and Tiffany history, be sure to visit the Morse Museum’s Louis Comfort Tiffany Chronology. https://buff.ly/2Ssu8ct

WelbournePark
WelbournePark

Earth into Art—The Flowering of American Art Pottery
Earth into Art—The Flowering of American Art Pottery

007 quarter turn (1)
007 quarter turn (1)

The Domes of the Yosemite
The Domes of the Yosemite

The Domes of the Yosemite
The Domes of the Yosemite

2017 Christmas in the Park Setup
2017 Christmas in the Park Setup

2017 Holidays at the Morse
2017 Holidays at the Morse

Lighting in the Tiffany Chapel
Lighting in the Tiffany Chapel

furn-002-80 (2)
furn-002-80 (2)

2016-007 quarter turn (1)
2016-007 quarter turn (1)

Rites of Spring at the Morse
Rites of Spring at the Morse

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Of the many unexpected pleasures awaiting visitors to Central Florida, none may be as dazzling as a stroll through the galleries of The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by American designer Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933). Highlights include the restored Byzantine-Romanesque chapel interior that Tiffany designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and a new wing that showcases the Museum’s collection of art and architectural objects from Tiffany’s celebrated Long Island home, Laurelton Hall. The galleries support the first permanent exhibition of these objects. The recently restored Daffodil Terrace, prize-winning leaded-glass windows, iconic Tiffany lamps, and custom furnishings are among the featured installations. Visitors will also enjoy the exhibits of American art pottery, Arts and Crafts furnishings, and late 19th- and early 20th-century American painting and graphics. The Morse was founded by Jeannette Genius McKean (1909-89) in 1942 and named for her industrialist grandfather. Its collection was built over a half-century by Mrs. McKean and her husband, Hugh F. McKean (1908-95), the museum’s director until his death.

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