Is That A Sullivan I See?

 
[Teller's Wicket from the National Farmers Bank (1907-08) Louis Sullivan, Owatonna, Minnesota, Art Institute of
Chicago /Image & Artwork: designslinger]

Are you familiar with the work of architect Louis Sullivan? You might not be to sure about
a particular building he designed, but you are probably aware of the spectacular ornamentation he created for his projects.

 
[Sullivanesque ornament /Images & Artwork: designslinger]

As you wander the streets of Chicago, you'll notice some of Sullivan's ornament in the
least likely places. Sometimes a bit of Sullivan surrounding a door opening, or a medallion in terra cotta decorating an otherwise nondescript commercial building.

 
[Sullivanesques in commercial brick facades /Images & Artwork: designslinger]

But, they are not Sullivan - per se. Most of these glazed terra cotta pieces were
manufactured by the Midland Terra Cotta Company (later the American Terra Cotta Company) headquartered in Chicago. They were based on Sullivan's designs for other buildings, or on designs by a handful of architects who were inspired by his work. A little bit from one building here, with a dash of ornament from another and voilà!, you have a Sullivanesque design. Midland then produced a catalog offering these pieces for sale which any builder or architect could order from, and then place into their rather ordinary facade to spice things up a bit.

 
[Sullivanesque ornament crowns a building /Image and Artwork: designslinger]

Apparently the Master had no hands on relationship with the pieces manufactured by the
terra cotta company. However, I read a story years ago that Sullivan actually designed these pieces later in his career for a few dollars a piece when he was completely broke and looking for cash in order to eat. Ironically, these terra cotta beauties have found their way into the stockrooms of salvage businesses around the country and can be quite expensive to purchase.

See related Sullivan posts here and here.
Posted by designslinger at 1/12/2010 2:19 AM
Categories: Architecture, Decorative Arts
Tags: architectural ornamentation Louis Sullivan terra cotta
 

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  • 5/23/2010 3:59 AM anil wrote:
    i don't like the heavy ornate theme as a design, its passed time, now time to invent new roles.

  • 11/23/2010 1:31 PM Elizabeth wrote:
    Hey, I was wondering what building is in the third picture, right side? Is that in Chicago?
    1. 11/24/2010 3:44 AM designslinger wrote:
      Hi! Yep, all the building facades are in Chicago. The one you asked about is on the east side of Broadway just north of Irving Park Road and  houses a furniture store. Well, at least for now.
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