About
Restoration
Works Index
Thomas Venturella
Jim Murphy
Contact
About
The VENTURELLA STUDIO was established in 1985, specializing in conservation and restoration
of historical stained glass from Medieval Europe to Twentieth century America. The VENTURELLA
STUDIO is owned and operated by Thomas Venturella. He has been working solely with stained and
leaded glass since 1969 and he oversees all fabrications of new work and is directly responsible
for all restorations.
All restoration and conservation work done at the VENTURELLA STUDIO is in stringent compliance
with the accepted practices of both the International Institute for Conservation (IIC) and the
American Institute for Conservation (AIC). The VENTURELLA STUDIO's work procedures have been
recognized by the AIC as being wholly professional and totally within the philosophy of that
organization. Thomas Venturella is a member of both the IIC and AIC and was awarded
"Professional Associate" status by AIC making him the first stained glass conservator in the
United States to be so recognized.
Restoration
The VENTURELLA STUDIO prides itself in its reputation for the conscientious approach to the
restoration of glass. While the primary concern is stained and leaded glass windows, the
restoration of lamps, vessels, sculptures, and uncategorized glass objects are also included.
The objective of all restoration and conservation treatments carried out at The Studio is to
retain the integrity of each object as it was conceived, designed, and fabricated. This can
only be done when there is as thorough as possible an understanding of the artist, the time
period in which the object was produced, the initial intent for the object and how it was to
function, and the object itself. We research historical material whenever possible in order
to shed light for a clearer understanding. Close examination of the object can also turn up
information. When original material is missing, clues have been found within the object
itself such as the discovery of original glass fragments which failed to be removed during
previous repairs.
Documentation is a critical step in a thorough conservation treatment. Photographs in both
film and the digital media are taken. In the case of leaded glass panels, rubbings are made.
Where American Opalescent window design patterns differ in their exterior and interior surfaces,
photographs of both sides of the window are recorded in reflected and transmitted light.
Photographs are also taken to document the restoration progress. Photographs are included with
conservation reports which are then presented to the client upon completion of the treatment,
when requested.
Original material is retained whenever possible with broken glass being repaired in one of
the following methods:
- Silicone edge gluing is used when large expanses of glass are to be returned to an area
within the panel that placed stress on the glass. This allows the silicone to act as a flex
joint thereby eliminating the need of an additional lead, which would alter the original design.
- Hxtal NYL-1, a two part epoxy which has a light refractive index closely matching that of glass,
is used when additional lead lines will only destroy the integrity of the original design.
- Finely cut copperfoil where a minimal repair line is required.
Works Index
Below is a listing of the significant works completed and currently in progress by
the VENTURELLA STUDIO. If you would like further information about any of the works
listed below, feel free to email us:
info@ventruellastudio.com
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Winter Park, Florida
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The VENTURELLA STUDIO is the Conservation Studio of choice for the Morse Museum's extensive
collection of Tiffany glass.
- "Eggplants" & "Squash" 1879
These two windows for the George Kemp house were the first private residential
commissions by Tiffany.
- "Art Gallery Window" 1918
Restoration and reconfiguration of three stained glass windows, plus ornamental metal
sculptural elements. This ensemble was prominently featured over the door to the Art
Gallery at Louis Comfort Tiffany’s home “Laurelton Hall” at Oyster Bay, NY.
Three windows in the Tiffany Chapel at The Columbian Exposition of Chicago, 1893:
- "Field of Lilies"
- "Christ Preaching to the Evangelists"
- "The Story of the Cross"
Chapel of the Association for the Relief of Respectable Aged and Indigent Females:
- "Nixon Memorial Window"
- "McCorkle Memorial Window"
- "Dunning Memorial Window"
- "Innis Memorial Window"
- "Minton Memorial Window"
Surround panels for "The Four Seasons" from the Paris Exposition of 1900, and later used
in the loggia of Laurelton Hall, Oyster Bay, NY:
- "Eagle"
- "Urns"
- "Four Ornamental Side Panels"
Additional restored windows and glass objects from the Morse collection:
- "Color Wheels" from the Fountain Court, Laurelton Hall, Oyster Bay, NY
- "Symbolic (Zen)" window
- "Chestnut" Lamp Pattern Sample
- Study for "The Entombment"
- "Head of Joseph of Arimathea", Study Panel
- "Landscape with Peacock and Peonies"
- "Daffodils"
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Cloisters, New York, NY
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- "Six Standing Saints Above Predella Panels" 1440-1446
Redesign installation of six windows from the Carmelite Convent Church at Boppard
on Rhine, Germany.
- "The Circumcision", "The Adoration of the Magi"
Redesign installation of two Burgos panels for inclusion in the Boppard galleries.
-Restoration of fifteen medieval stained glass windows and fragments for installation
into the new Early Gothic Galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
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- "The Luminous Image: Painted Glass Roundels in the Lowlands, 1480-1560"
Design and fabrication of 39 leaded glass diamond- lite panels into which were set 70 pieces
of art from various museum collections around the world. The first roundel exhibition of its
kind in the United States.
- "Firescreen" John La Farge, 1887
- Design, fabrication, and installation of three bays of leaded glass for newly designed Early
Gothic Galleries.
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona
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- "Hanging Chandelier" 1902-1905
Restoration to one of four chandeliers designed and fabricated by Frank Lloyd Wright for
the William R. Heath House, Buffalo, NY.
- "Dining Room Cabinet Window"
Restoration of a brass came, clear, and iridized glass panel for a built in side-board cabinet
in the dining room of the Susan Lawrence Dana House, Springfield, Illinois, 1903.
Private Owner
- "Beebe Memorial Window", Tiffany Studios 1918
Formerly property of the YWCA of the City of New York.
This large twelve sectioned window was removed from its original location in NYC in 1999.
This window was completely restored and a new steel framing unit was designed and
fabricated for installation at the new location.
The Richard H. Driehaus Art Collection, Chicago, Illinois
-"The Birth of Aphrodite", 2 pair
- "The Chariot of Thetis", 1 panel
Five verre eglomisé panels by Jean Dupas for the Grande Salon of the ocean liner
"Normandie" 1935. One panel was broken into five sections. Conservation treatment
included edge gluing, the duplicating of missing paint, and metal leafing to match original
artwork. Backing fabric to all panels was re-attached. Panels were cleaned on the interior
and exterior surfaces.
- "Theodorus Bailey Murrs Mason Memorial Window”, Pan-American Exposition 1901
Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company
- "Cloud Window With Jeweled Border", Tiffany Studios 1920
Westmoreland Museum Of American Art, Greensburg, PA
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- "The Thomas Lynch Window" Tiffany Studios, 1905
The Davenport Museum of Art, Davenport, Iowa Denkmann Mausoleum, Rock Island, Ill.
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- "River of Life", Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, New York
This window was stolen from the Denkmann mausoleum in Rock Island, Illinois, later
recovered and returned to the family by the FBI in 1976. It was donated to the Davenport
Museum of Art where it is on permanent exhibition. The window was restored, cleaned, and
set into a new frame making it ready for exhibition.
Portsmouth Abbey, Portsmouth, Rhode Island
- The Angel Gabriel from "The Annunciation"
French, Normandy ca. 1525-35
First Presbyterian Church, Lake Forest, Illinois
- "The Guardian Angel" Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company 1897
- "Faith" Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company 1896
- "Christ and The Pilgrims" Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company 1897
These three windows, each 234” h. x 78” w., are single lancet multi-layered windows. Each
was removed, completely releaded, and reinstalled. Each window had problems unique to
each one.
St. James' Episcopal Church, New York City
- West Rose: Henry Wynd Young 1924
A 15' diameter rose consisting of twelve petals, thirteen quatrefoils plus ornamental kites.
- North Transept: "The Annunciation" and "Adoration of the Magi".
Possibly Heaton, Butler, & Bayne, London & New York.
- "Ward Memorial Window" Tiffany Studios, New York
- "Stanton Memorial Window" Tiffany Studios, New York
- "And In The Morn Those Angel Faces Smile" Tiffany Studios, New York
Congregation B’nai Jacob, Charleston, West Virginia
- Fabrication of three stained glass windows designed by artist David Pushkin. Techniques included
copperfoil, acid etching, painting, jewels, and multi-layered plating.
The Forbes Magazine Collection
- Eight verre eglomisé panels by Jean Dupas for the ocean liner "Normandie", 1935.
These panels were cleaned on the interior and exterior surfaces. One broken and
missing corner was duplicated to match the paint and gold leaf of the original.
The New York Clearing House, New York City
- "Ornamental Window" Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company, 1893
Grace Episcopal Church, New Bedford, MA
- "Christ Blessing the Children", Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company
Complete restoration of a three lancet window plus ornamental kites that were heavily fire damaged.
First Parish Church, Taunton, MA
- "The Resurrection" Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company, 1894
Removal, total restoration including releading, and reinstallation of a 8’ x 19’ double lancet
window plus ornamental kite.
I.S. 88 Manhattan, New York City
- Jesse Frances Smith Ford window, D’Ascenzo Studio, Philadelphia PA 1917
- "Lydia Waldeigh Window", Louis Lederle Studios, NY 1909
- "Goethe and Hugo" Windows, Gorham Co., NY 1907-08
These three windows were removed, completely releaded, and reinstalled.
Domino's Farms Collection, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Window from the Darwin D. Martin House, Buffalo, NY 1904
Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Manchester By The Sea, MA
- Sturgis and Mcolloh Memorial Windows, John La Farge 1882
House of Representatives, State Capitol, Harrisburg, PA
- "Bridge Building"
- "Steel and Iron"
- "Religion"
- "Liberty"
- "Steam Engineering"
- "Chemistry"
- "Printing"
Allegorical Figure Windows, William Brantley Van Ingen, 1904
An ensemble of 4’ diameter windows with life sized allegorical figures representing aspects
of life in Pennsylvania.
Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, Montréal Canada
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- "La Trinité"
Restoration of a thirteen inch diameter 14th century Austrian roundel in the museum's
permanent collection. Treatment included edge gluing, copper foiling, and newly painted
glass to replace previous poor repairs.
Thomas Venturella
Thomas Venturella graduated from the School of The Art Institute of Chicago and the
University of Chicago with a BFA degree in painting. He moved to New York City in 1969
and became an apprentice at the Greenland Studio where he eventually became the Senior
Conservator in charge of Medieval to late 19th century glass from the collections of
the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cloisters. He has also studied and traveled
extensively in Europe. Thomas Venturella established the VENTURELLA STUDIO in 1985
where he remains owner, operator, and Senior Conservator, overseeing all of the
Studio's projects. He has given numerous lectures and participated in several
publications about stained glass restoration and conservation. Thomas Venturella
is a member of both the International Institute for Conservation (IIC) and the
American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and was awarded "Professional Associate"
status by AIC making him the first stained glass conservator in the United States to be
so recognized.
Click here to download PDF of Thomas Venturella's
Curriculum Vitae.
Jim Murphy
The beginning of Mr. Murphy's stained glass experience began in Charlotte, NC in 1992 where he
learned the basics of repair and restoration. In 1993 he moved to Boston, MA where, while working
for a well known local stained glass firm, he gained first hand experience in building windows.
1994 saw his move to New York where he worked for various studios in the area. He arrived at the
Venturella Studio in 1996 where he ably applied his skills to the creation of new works and
restorations for which the Studio is known. Here he was introduced to the complex restoration
procedures of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, John La Farge, and Frank Lloyd Wright. With his
attention to detail and insistence upon perfection, his skills were quickly honed to meet the Studio's
high standards. Whether overseeing and fabricating new windows for installation in The Glass Gallery
at the Cloisters Museum in New York, restoration of the large Tiffany windows at First Presbyterian
Church of Lake Forest, Ill, or conserving historical and rare windows from the Tiffany Studios in the
collection of the Morse Museum in Winter Park, Florida, Mr. Murphy continually and consistently proves
his talent and expertise as a major glass conservator.
Jim Murphy is also known as a world class, professional skateboarder. His company WoundedKnee is deeply
committed to working with the Native American Nation and guiding their youth.
www.woundedkneeskateboards.com
Contact
The VENTURELLA STUDIO is located on the East side of Union Square in New York City.
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here for map.
VENTURELLA STUDIO
32 Union Square East
Suite 1110
New York, NY 10003
Phone:
(212) 228-4252
(212) 260-1970
Facsimile:
(212) 979-6679
Email:
info@venturellastudio.com