Louis Comfort Tiffany, born Feb. 18, 1848, is best known for windows and lamps. While his father, Tiffany & Co. founder Charles Lewis Tiffany, created exquisite jewelry in precious metals with the finest gemstones, Louis spun magic from lead and glass. Few realize, however, that he also was a talented jewelry artist.
Louis was an accomplished painter. As a young man, he was taught by American landscape artists, including George Inness (1825-1894), considered by his contemporaries to be the greatest American landscape artist of his time. Louis Tiffany studied art throughout Europe and developed a vast artistic expertise—his media included paint, photography, textiles, architecture, bronze, interior design, and glass (enamels, mosaics, lamps, and decorative glassware). He became a leader in the art nouveau movement, and his works were sold in the Tiffany & Co. jewelry store on