Here’s a great question that came up this weekend. Many people ask how did Tiffany get Joseph to look so “real” or “human” in his stained glass window (in the Contrasts exhibit). And I understood that the face and body were painted on the glass. Was it painted on using the grisaille technique, or can anyone elaborate on that part of the process? Thanks.

Mary

Louis Comfort Tiffany (designer, American, 1848–1933)
Young Joseph, about 1900
Multicolored, cut, and leaded glass
Collection of The Corning Museum of Glass, gift of Dr. Robert Koch, 64.4.80
Photo courtesy of The Corning Museum of Glass