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Relying too much on internet research without additional documentation may have tripped me up a bit. I am posting these two tentative corrections pending further in-depth research.
Relying too much on internet research without additional documentation may have tripped me up a bit. I am posting these two tentative corrections pending further in-depth research.
1. The Rotunda at the Conway was altered in at least two phases: first by Holabird and Root in 1945-1947 and later by Jack Train (dated to 1983 by Sally A. Kitt Chappell and 1986 by the AIA Guide to Chicago). I also have generalized information that ALL the skylit spaces in Chicago were tarred black in the early forties -- to make sure that the Nazis couldn't find us -- a process that may have also damaged the original construction. I may have credited the "scoop" to Jack Train, when it fact, it may belong to Holabird and Root, with the real culprit being Adolph Hitler -- not an Architect's arrogance. (See Previous Post)
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2. Henry Hering's most substantial work at the Museum of Science and Industry may have been in 1919 as part of the reconstruction effort, not in 1893 as previously posted. However, documentation of Sculpture at the World's Fair seems extremely problematic. Lorado Taft has been credited with "all" the sculpture at the Horticulture Building -- some 100 pieces as estimated from photographs. Phimister Proctor seems to have created animals by the herd. Philip Martiny is credited with friezes on the Fine Arts Building and all twelve "Horoscopes" at the Agrictulture Hall, among others. The Frederick MacMonnies Fountain alone could have occupied that Artist for years.... And then, there was the Watergate. "Chicago, the Magic City 1893" by J.W. Buel credits "Proctor," "Martiny," and "Bauer" with Sculpture at the Fine Arts Building. I am unable to verify that source. At the time, Henry Hering was Phillip Martiny's assistant.
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The picture below, from the World's Fair, may give us a clue: the sculptors upfront, the ones with no facial hair, (and no names) covered in plaster dust, are holding the tools.
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PHOTOGRAPH CREDIT "CHICAGO, THE MAGIC CITY" by J.W. Buel
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Extrapolition from fact is conjecture. Extrapolation from fiction is, well, fiction. It is always my intention to make the subject of Chicago Architecture MORE clear -- not less. If anyone ever sees information that even seems questionable, can recommend additional source material, or has just heard "something else." I would welcome a comment. GHJ.
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So. Just what IS going on in this picture. Second from the left, I'd guess, is the "Artist". The man with the clean coat and the triangular rake, rear left -- maybe the the project manager -- proud of his team -- allowing them the front row. And the two kids, the workers? Who knows. But the one on the right looks ornery to me -- having had way too much fun rendering Minerva's bubbies....
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But this, of course, remains "Conjecture."
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So. Just what IS going on in this picture. Second from the left, I'd guess, is the "Artist". The man with the clean coat and the triangular rake, rear left -- maybe the the project manager -- proud of his team -- allowing them the front row. And the two kids, the workers? Who knows. But the one on the right looks ornery to me -- having had way too much fun rendering Minerva's bubbies....
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But this, of course, remains "Conjecture."
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FOR MORE CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE, SCULPTURE AND PHOTOGRAPHY VISIT
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I recall being told on a tour of the Rookery that the war blackout was just a story and the real reason was to keep them from leaking.
ReplyDeleteThat makes an awful lot of sense, doesn't it. Thanks for the comment. And good luck with your work in Des Plaines.
ReplyDeleteMr. Train's firm, Metz Train Youngerman, were the original architects for the restoration of the Santa Fe (Railway Exchange) building in the early eighties. The design is credited to Frye Gillian Mollinaro as they were emoloyees of Mr. Train's office at the time. So, Mr. Train has upened up at least one skylight in his career.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment and the correction, EdwardJay. Always appreciated.
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