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Chicago War Memorial Competition Entry: Perspective View

A work made of ink and pencil on paper.

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  • A work made of ink and pencil on paper.

Date:

c. 1930

Artist:

Bruce Alonzo Goff, American, 1904-1982
Alfonso Iannelli, American, born Italy, 1888-1965

About this artwork

The aim of the Chicago War Memorial competition was to “adequately memorialize the sacrifices and services of all who served in the world’s war and in a manner relating not inharmoniously to the adjacent architectural and landscape elements of Grant Park and the yacht harbor.” The memorial was to be constructed on a man-made island in Lake Michigan across from Buckingham Fountain. The competition resulted in 114 entries that were narrowed to four finalists by the jury. Finally, a scheme by the New York architects Eric Gugler and Roger Bailey was selected. Second place was awarded to Benjamin H. Marshall, a Chicago architect.
Bruce Goff and Alfonso Ianelli, who worked together on this competition, were not recognized by the jury. However, their scheme is an interesting result of the combination of Goff’s creative approach to architecture and Ianelli’s talents as a designer and artist.
The first place design’s high cost, estimated to be between two and five million dollars, and the economic depression of the 1930s meant that no monument was ever executed.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Architecture and Design

Artist

Bruce Alonzo Goff (Architect)

Title

Chicago War Memorial Competition Entry: Perspective View

Place

Chicago (Building address)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Designed 1925–1935

Medium

Ink and pencil on paper

Dimensions

Mat opening: 11.2 × 23.6 cm (4 × 9 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of David Jameson, ArchiTech Gallery of Architectural Art

Reference Number

1999.549

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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