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Chicago War Memorial Competition Entry, Chicago, Illinois, Perspective

A work made of graphite and watercolor on paper, mounted on illustration board.

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  • A work made of graphite and watercolor on paper, mounted on illustration board.

Date:

1931

Artist:

Voorhees, Gmelin and Walker (American, 1926-1937)
Ralph Thomas Walker (American, 1889-1973)
John C. Wenrich (American, 1894-1970)

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.
The proposal by Voorhees, Gmelin, and Walker was among the finalists cited by the jury for its originality. The rendering by John Wenrich captures the intention of designer Ralph Walker to portray not only the brutal agony of war but also the serenity when wars will no longer be waged.
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

Voorhees, Gmelin and Walker (Architect)

Title

Chicago War Memorial Competition Entry, Chicago, Illinois, Perspective

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.

1931

Medium

Graphite and watercolor on paper, mounted on illustration board

Dimensions

56.5 × 41.6 cm (22 1/4 × 16 3/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Haines Lundberg Waehler in honor of their centennial

Reference Number

1983.223

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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