Americanizing Architecture: New Piece by Louis Henry Sullivan

We are thrilled to add another architectural ornament by Louis Henry Sullivan to our collection! This reproduction is from Sullivan's Bayard-Condict Building in NYC and is one of the repeating tiles on the exterior of the building that forms the soffit. 

Bayard-Condict Building, detail, Wikimedia. Design: Caproni Collection.

The piece is highly ornate and thoughtfully-designed – the hallmark of Sullivan’s ornamentation. The geometric lines, both raised and incised, counter the curving leaf motif at the corners.

Sullivan (September 3, 1856 - April 14, 1924) was an architect in the Chicago School of Architecture also known as the Commercial Style. He was highly influential to the modernists who came after him, including his mentee Frank Lloyd Wright. Sullivan coined the famous architectural phrase “form follows function” to describe his philosophy that the exterior of a building should reflect the functions for which the building is used. Sullivan is also remembered for the ornamentation he created for the exteriors and interiors of his projects. Here, too, he modernized and Americanized. He changed the way ornamentation had traditionally been utilized in architecture in order to emphasize the hallmark of many new buildings of the time – their height.

April 2024 will mark the 100th anniversary of Louis Henry Sullivan's death. 

If you're interested in Sullivan's work, be sure to check out the other piece we offer which is from the since-demolished Garrick Theater in Chicago designed by Sullivan and his partner, Dankmar Adler. The pair designed over 250 buildings together, and all but 30 of them have been demolished. This sculpted piece is one of the repeating tiles that formed a frieze in the banquet hall. 

It's a shame that so many of Sullivan's buildings have been demolished, which is why the salvaged remnants are cherished and why we as a community need to care for the Bayard-Condict Building and other architectural gems!

Best,
Kayla

*Please note: Sources used can be found on the product page. 

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