Working closely with the museum’s curators, conservators, and exhibit designers, Schuler Shook created lighting solutions that brightly illuminate the craftsmanship of each pane while concealing the LED light sources located behind the translucent panes of glass.
Art Institute of Chicago, Hartwell Memorial Window
Chicago, IL
When The Art Institute of Chicago acquired Tiffany Studios’ leaded glass masterpiece, Light in Heaven and Earth, it found itself with many challenges, including how to house the window in the museum and illuminate it with electric lighting as it would appear in daylight.
A system of roll out frames was developed to provide access to the lighting system without removing the glass panels from the front, thus allowing the Art Institute to protect the historic integrity of the piece while showcasing the range of the artisan’s achievements in glass.
The History Behind the Window
Light in Heaven and Earth (Hartwell Memorial Window), 1917 Corona, NY.
One of the most extraordinary leaded glass landscape windows ever produced by Tiffany Studios
Tiffany Studios (American, 1902 – 1932) – the foremost glass firm founded by Louis Comfort Tiffany
Designed by Agnes Northrop (American, 1857 – 1953)
48 Panels of multilayered leaded glass, took 8 months to complete, and it was a very ambitious project
Installed over the altar of the Central Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island (1917)
23 feet high x 16 feet wide (monumental scale)
AIC Curator Liz McGoey, Conservator Rachel Sabino, and independent glass conservator Diane Rousseau were responsible for the acquisition process.
Project Details
Service
Sector
Recognition
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IES Illumination Award of Merit, 2023
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National Lighting Bureau Tesla Special Citation, 2023
