About this artwork
In 1922 a small group of Louis Sullivan’s friends and colleagues gathered at the Art Institute of Chicago and com- missioned him to produce a series of drawings illustrating his philosophy of architecture. Completed in the last year of his life, this project—an essay and 20 detailed plates— outlines Sullivan’s belief that ornament was the supreme expression of a designer’s intellect and creative freedom. The resulting 1924 publication, A System of Architectural Ornament According with a Philosophy of Man’s Powers, was highly influential for the next generation of architects in Chicago and remains a powerful expression of Sullivan’s ideals about organic and modern American architecture.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Architecture and Design
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Artist
- Louis H. Sullivan (Architect)
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Title
- System of Architectural Ornament, Plate 20, Finis
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Place
- United States (Artist's nationality:)
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Date
- 1923
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Medium
- Graphite on Strathmore paper
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Inscriptions
- Signed and dated at bottom right of design, "Louis H. Sullivan fecit Chicago March 19th 1923"
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Dimensions
- 57.7 × 73.5 cm (22 3/4 × 29 in.)
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Credit Line
- Commissioned by The Art Institute of Chicago
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Reference Number
- 1988.15.20
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.
