Next Sunday, on February 12th, Marie Selby Gardens will unveil their 2023 installment of the Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series, Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature. The exhibition series aims to explore the works of major artists through their connections to nature, with this year’s installment focusing on American Artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, who was the founder of the decorative arts studio Tiffany Studios and was the first design director at his father Charles Tiffany’s iconic luxury jewelry and specialty design house Tiffany & Co.

Although ostensibly the designer of one of the most recognizable jewelry companies in the world may not seem like he has a major connection with nature, a further look into Louis Tiffany’s work reveals a deeper connection with the natural world than one might think. Tiffany, who hailed from New York City, began his career as a painter, studying at the National Academy of Design from 1866-67 and later apprenticed under the French landscape painter Leon Belly, who is cited as one of the major influences in Tiffany’s later artistic career. Soon after, however, Tiffany transitioned into glassmaking, where he became one of the most notable artisans of the Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tiffany’s biggest contribution came in his stained glass work, particularly with his Tiffany lamps, which feature lamp shade designs that mimic flora and fauna.

This February’s Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature will mark the first time that Tiffany’s work will be exhibited in a botanical setting. Samples of his work will be featured throughout Selby Garden’s museum and floral concepts and vignettes inspired by his designs will be displayed throughout the Tropical Conservatory and Downtown Campus. “I think that people are used to thinking about Tiffany in a particular setting, whether it's seeing the objects in their homes – such as the lamps – or seeing the objects in a traditional museum setting,” says Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Selby Gardens. “Displaying Tiffany’s work in a garden setting with accompanying horticultural displays is a really creative presentation of his craft and creates a whole new way of looking at the artist.”

Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, 941-366-5731.