I've been dreaming of visiting the Art Institute ever since I first saw A Sunday on La Grande Jatte in a High School art history class. It immediately took my breath away, and burrowed its way into my brain. I was fascinated by the hours it took to construct such a large painting from so many tiny dots, how revolutionary the technique was at the time (and how reviled the Impressionist and Post-Impressionists were with the arty-farty folk of the time).
To actually see it in person...
This is the face of a person who is in disbelief that this is happening right now. Or the face of a person who always looks a little derpy in photos.
Two sisters standing in front of Renoir's Two Sisters (On the Terrace)
What do I always say about ballerina's in art museums? If it's a ballerina, it is almost always a Degas.
So, a quiz:
Is this a Degas?
Yes, it is a Degas. (Little Dancer Aged Fourteen)
What about her?
Yes, she's Danseuse rose (Pink Dancer) by Edgar Degas.
And her?
Ballet Dancer on Stage by, you know it, Edgar Degas
How about these lovely ladies?
Green Dancers, Edgar Degas
And this trio of sculpures?
All by the multi-medium artist, Edgar Degas
And finally, Ballet Dancers?
No! This is not a Degas....occasionally someone else paints ballet dancers. This is actually by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec.
Much like with the Seurat at the top of the post, occasionally I turn around and run smack-dab into something that I've read about, or dreamed about, or admired my whole life. And suddenly there it is, right in front of me. For me, they are almost always in some way related to art - a painting, sculpture, building or monument, and they always take my breath away and bring tears to my eyes. There are so many of these in world-class museums like the Art Institute.
Hopper's Nighthawks
Mary Cassatt's The Child's Bath
Whistler's Mothers was on special loan in the final days of her display.
And other's that I wasn't familiar with before my visit, but evoked emotion immediately:
I was highly suspicious of this cat. Does it think it is next on the dead animal table, or was it the one who killed them all, and is just waiting for a chance to pounce!?
At of course, as iconic as any piece of art inside the walls, are the lions - standing guard outside.
FLW was doing design projects on the sly while working for Adler and Sullivan, putting together his own portfolio and building his client list and reputation.
Robert P. Parker House
1019 Chicago
This doesn't have the overall "Wright" signature style, probably because it was one of those DL projects he did. But still, it has the art glass windows and the walled-in porch.
Thomas H. Gale House
1027 Chicago
Just a couple of houses down from the Parker House, this was another DL project. But he still gave it a highpitched roof and art glass.
Walter H. Gale House
1031 Chicago
IIRC the Gale's were a pair of brothers who lived next door to each other, and FLW did both their houses. This house has more art glass, a proper turret, and a whimsically narrow gable/dormer window that echoes the chimney. The front door? All the way on the other side, behind a walled porch.
Moore-Dugal Residence (aka Nathan G. Moore House)
333 Forest
Is this a home in Chicago? Is this a ski chalet? Definitely unique among his portfolio of work. Also, this is not the front of the house.
This side faces the street, but also not the front.
This is the front of the house! The whole thing is turned sideways.
Hills-Decario House (aka Edward R. Hills House)
313 Forest
FLW didn't design this house ground up, he did a redesign and was somewhat bound by the original architecture. However he did add his signature roof pitch, front porch, and row of horizontal windows.
Arthur B. Huertley House
318 Forest
Planters: check
Hidden door: check
Walled porch: check
Art Glass windows: check
Yep, this is FLW.
Sprucing up the place for FLW150:
Frank Thomas House
210 Forest
The Thomas house is considered the first true Prairie School house.
“First thing in building the new house, get rid of the attic, therefore the dormer ... Get rid of the useless false heights below it. Next, get rid of the unwholesome basement, yes absolutely-in any house built on the prairie. Instead of lean, brick chimneys bristling up everywhere to hint at judgement, I could see necessity for one chimney only."
-FLW in An Autobiography
Guess where the front door isn't.
Cort will have to fill you in on the rest of the tour. I've been having major back problems for the last year or so, and can't walk very far anymore, even with a cane. So, after this house I decided I better go back or we might need to call an ambulance. But the part I saw was so interesting. I hope I get a chance to go back and see the rest of this neighborhood and Robie House.
