FROM THE COLLECTION

Blossoms of Spring,
c. 1887–98

Oil on canvas
Louis Comfort Tiffany
Gift of the estate of Alfreda Tiffany Mitchell Bingham Gregor
66.5 x 101 inches
(70-001)

In this large canvas by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933), the artist combines light, color, nature, family, and pageantry with dazzling effect. The painting, now on permanent view in the Museum’s new Tiffany wing, has been referred to by many different names. Tiffany entitled it Blossoms of Spring when he exhibited it at the Society of American Artists in 1888. It was called Spring in the authorized 1914 biography by Charles de Kay, The Art Work of Louis C. Tiffany. It has also been known as Allegory of Spring, Springtime, and Flora. Relatives recall posing for Tiffany’s paintings regularly, often being photographed by him during their visits. The donor was Tiffany’s niece, then-named Alfreda Mitchell, who at age 12 sat for the May Queen. Other figures in this painting include Alfreda’s sister Charly Tiffany Mitchell, Tiffany’s two daughters Mary and Hilda, and close friends and neighbors of the family. Tiffany hung the painting in his 72nd Street home in New York City and later at his Long Island estate, Laurelton Hall. A full-size image of Blossoms of Spring can be seen on our Web site.

April 6, 2012

Free Admission to the Morse April 6–8

As is tradition, the Morse Museum will provide free admission for the three-day Easter weekend, April 6 through 8. Hours for the open house are 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday; 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday; and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Easter Sunday. Visitors to the Museum on this holiday always appreciate the hauntingly beautiful Tiffany Chapel, but don’t miss the new Tiffany wing, the recently reinstalled American paintings gallery, and the new exhibition Watercolors of Otto Heinigke—A Glass Artist’s Palette.

DETAIL, FIELD OF LILIES, c. 1893
Leaded glass
Tiffany Glass and
Decorating Company
(U-071)

Art Crime Specialist Robert K. Wittman to Lecture May 10

Robert K. Wittman has been called a “living legend” (The Wall Street Journal) and “the most famous detective in the world” (London Times). And no wonder. From an original copy of the Bill of Rights to a Rembrandt self-portrait, former FBI Special Agent Wittman helped to recover more than $300 million in stolen art and cultural property from around the world. Wittman, the author of a best-selling memoir about his years as the FBI’s senior art crime investigator, will be in Central Florida May 10 to share the thrills and chills of his undercover sleuthing on multiple continents at the Morse Museum’s Hugh F. McKean Public Lecture. The event, presented by the Morse Museum in association with Rollins College, takes place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10, in the John M. Tiedtke Concert Hall at Rollins College. Admission is free, and a public reception will follow the lecture.

Priceless by Robert K. Wittman, with John Shiffman.

Last Month for Free Friday Nights; Live Music and Curator Tour on April 13

Less than a month remains to enjoy a Friday night visit to the Morse. Our free Friday night open house runs from November through April—this year April 27—and visitors receive free admission to the galleries from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On April 13, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Beautiful Music Luxury Chamber Quartet will play classical and contemporary favorites and at 7:00 p.m., Museum visitors can join Curator Donna Climenhage for a tour of the new Tiffany wing.

Louis Comfort Tiffany's Daffodil Terrace as seen from the Morse courtyard at night.

Spring Brown Bag Matinees: April in Paris

The spring Brown Bag Matinees will begin at noon Friday, April 13, and will focus on the Paris art scene during the first 30 years of the 20th century. Visual and performance artists, writers, and musicians flocked to Paris in this era looking for inspiration. The first film in the series will be Paris: The Luminous Years—Toward the Making of the Modern. After this compelling documentary about Paris in its years as a hub for the avant-garde, future films will explore the life of Picasso’s art dealer, Picasso’s influence on ballet, and the work of writer Jean Cocteau. Admission is free, and participants are invited to bring a lunch. For a complete schedule of films and times, please visit www.morsemuseum.org.

Detail from the cover of Paris: The Luminous Years—Toward the Making of the Modern.