Posted 5 years ago
rlwindle
(151 items)
They were designed for Midway Gardens in Chicago (1913; demolished 1929), a fashionable entertainment complex, Wright created a magical combination of architecture, furniture, sculpture and murals. In collaboration with the sculptor, Alfonso Iannelli, a series of "Sprite" sculptures were created; dozens were cast to adorn walls and walkways. These Nymph’s are representative of those that adorned the Gardens. Technically they are not considered Art Deco, both were created 12 years before Exposition des Arts Décoratifs, Paris 1925 they are considered art nouveau with cubism overtones. To me they are Art Deco.
The Poetry nymph is painted gold, and the Stability nymph is Ivory in color.
The second picture are the actual statues in place across from each other (you may have to expand the right side of the picture to see the poetry nymph completely). The third picture is the poetry nymph in place. The fourth picture is of the Midway Gardens.
Although the Midway Gardens were in business for over 15 years under various names, two demolition companies went bankrupt before the third one finally demolished the whole complex.