Frank Lloyd Wright
American, 1867-1959

Avery Coonley Playhouse: Triptych Window, 1912

Clear and colored leaded glass in oak frames
Center panel: 35 1/4 x 43 in. (89.5 x 109.2 cm)
Two side panels: 36 x 7 3/4 in. (91.4 x 19.7 cm) (each)
Restricted gift of Dr. and Mrs. Edwin J. DeCosta and the Walter E. Heller Foundation, 1986.88

Undoubtedly America's most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright established his reputation between 1900 and 1910 designing residences in what has become known as the Prairie style. In designing interiors, Wright explored the use of glass both as a decorative element and as a transparent screen to unite outside and inside. In the center panel from a three-part window from the Avery Coonley Playhouse in Riverside, Illinois, built in 1912, Wright used balloons, the American flag, and checkerboard patterns to create a colorful, playful arrangement that anticipates the later abstractions of Piet Mondrian.

Exhibition, Publication and Ownership Histories

Exhibition History

Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Architecture and Design, 1872-1922: Birth of a Metropolis, cat. no. 183; traveled to Paris, Musée d'Orsay, Oct. 2, 1987–Jan. 4, 1988; Frankfurt am Main, Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Feb. 5-Apr. 25, 1988; and Art Institute of Chicago, July 16–Sept. 5, 1988.

Art Institute of Chicago, Fragments of Chicago's Past, Gallery 200, ongoing exhibition.

Art Institute of Chicago, Silk Roads, 2006–2007.

Publication History

Zukowsky, John, ed. 1987. Chicago Architecture and Design, 1872-1922: Birth of a Metropolis. Exh. cat. Art Institute of Chicago/Prestel, cat. no. 183, p. 390.

Saliga, Pauline, ed. 1990. Fragments of Chicago's Past: The Collection of Architectural Fragments at The Art Institute of Chicago. Exh. cat. Art Institute of Chicago, cat. no. 95.

Wilson, Richard Guy. 1995. "Prairie School Works in the Department of Architecture at the Art Institute of Chicago." Museum Studies 21(2): 93-111. Cat. no.

Zukowsky, John, and Martha Thorne. 2004. Masterpieces of Chicago Architecture. Art Institute of Chicago/Rizzoli, p. 59.

Also used in various museum graphics, museum shop items, posters, calendars, etc.