Those capital letters in the title aren’t a mistake. “The Dream Garden” is the name of a Tiffany masterpiece of a Maxfield Parrish masterpiece found in the historic part of Philadelphia. We were walking along, stopping very often so I could take shots of doors, when my daughter said she thought this was the building that had something in it I’d like. She was right about both suppositions! (Not sure why I didn’t think to use the panorama feature on my iPhone, but I didn’t.)
Although this looks like a painting, it’s really a mosaic based on Parrish’s painting and it’s amazingly beautiful. The mosaic is located in the Curtis Building, former headquarters of The Saturday Evening Post, and is close to Independence Hall, making it easy to visit.
Visit Philadelphia’s website informs us:
In the lobby of a somber office building that flanks Washington Square lies an unexpected treasure: the astounding Dream Garden – a 15 × 49-foot mosaic of more than 100,000 pieces of favrile glass. Color and light, masterfully combined by the studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany, bring to life the luminous vision of Philadelphia native Maxfield Parrish, who created the painting on which the mosaic was based.
The brilliantly hued work was commissioned by Cyrus Curtis, publisher of The Saturday Evening Post, to grace his empire’s new marble and pillar fortified headquarters. The work has been displayed since 1916 as an integral part of the Curtis Center’s historically certified lobby, yet few people know of its existence. Those who find it – either deliberately or not – are never disappointed.
One of only three such works ever undertaken by Tiffany Studios, the piece is comprised of 24 panels that took six months to install in its Philadelphia setting. In 1998, after the piece was put up for sale and casino magnate Steve Wynn attempted to purchase it, a citywide outcry nixed the deal, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts purchased its alumnus’ famous Dream Garden to make sure it would remain where it has always been.
This, that and the other thing 
Beautiful painting/mosaic. I did think it was by “Janet m Webb” until I realised it was your watermark!! ha!ha!
🙂 I wish I HAD done it. Glad you enjoyed it, Emma.
janet
Your daughter was on target with that suggestion. The mosaic is beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Janet.
My pleasure, Dan. I loved seeing it and I’m glad everyone else is enjoying it.
His work is always worth gazing and gazing. I’ve been up close and personal to one in a home of a noted local family. His work is classic and holds its place in art history.
This one is quite something, Sally. I was thrilled to see it so close.
janet
Love to see it. It’s not too far from me.
Have you seen it already, Sherry? If not, you should stop by and there’s so much else to see in Philly. 🙂
janet
When I get fitter. Working on it.
Hope it’s soon, for you if not for traveling. 🙂
Two of my all-time favorite artists! Thanks for sharing this gorgeous mosaic. It, alone, is reason enough to go to Philadelphia (cheesesteak sandos are a close second).
Ω
I’m glad you liked it, Allan. It’s a beauty!
janet
The sheer size is impressive and I bet the amount of detail in it is amazing.
Ω
Very true for both. Just imagine all those little pieces of glass!!
The mosaic is breathtaking! What a treasure. So glad you chose to share it with us. And the windows ain’t too shabby either! 😜
And the marble and… Yup, it’s a treasure. I’m glad you liked it all.
janet
Wow! I adore Maxfield Parrish’s paintings, and I love Tiffany’s glasswork, so this is a double-wow for me! Thank you so much for sharing — Now Philly is on my bucket list. 😀
Philly’s a great city, Marian, with lots more to see than just this. All the history is an added bonus (for me.) I’m thrilled you liked it so much.
janet
Gorgeous!
Absolutely beautiful Janet. And from what I can see of the building itself, not too shabby either 🙂
Yes, that first floor at least is quite impressive. 🙂
Dream Garden is SO beautiful, especially when the light shines through it.
If we’re in the area again next time I visit, I want to stop again.
janet
I’m a huge Maxwell Parrish fan! Thanks for this.
Glad to share it, JT. It’s indeed something special.
janet
I love Maxfield Parrish and have ever since my college days when I first discovered him- along with most of my generation. I love the way he sees, and shows us, light on his subjects.
Then you would really enjoy this, Emilio.
janet
The mosaic is beautiful and the windows are glorious. Good detour!
I agree, Joey. It’s always fun to find something cool that you weren’t expecting.
janet
The colors are just breath-taking… So vibrant and jewel-like. These pieces simply glow (and not just from the sunlight in the stained glass!)
I’m glad you enjoyed it so much, Hannah. It’s quite something and I hope to stop by again some day.
janet
It is beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure. I’m glad you could enjoy even this little bit of how beautiful it is.
jaet
It certainly is a Dream Garden
It really is and winter doesn’t even bother it. 🙂
janet
No weeding needed either…
I grew up in suburbs of Philadelphia… and somehow, never saw these. If I go back, will need to seek these beauties out!
It’s well worth finding, Jane, and not that hard.
janet