Chicago Cultural Center Entry and Hall - Chicago, IL
Posted by: 
libbykc
N 41° 52.999 W 087° 37.487
16T E 448162 N 4637009
The Washington Street lobby, stairwell and the second floor hall are covered in mosaic, including this arch.
Waymark Code: WM11RQB
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 12/11/2019
Views: 4
This building was originally the Chicago Public Library, so the mosaic decorating this arch features names of writers. The mosaics continue up the stairs and cover the floors and walls through the second floor landing and hall.
From a history of the hall:
The Cosmati work throughout the interior is a technique in which marble is inlaid with a variety of materials, including lustrous Favrile glass, colored stone, mother-of-pearl, gold leaf, and mosaic. This technique makes walls appear jewel-like. Due to Chicago’s sooty air, the choice of glass and marble was practical as well as aesthetic because these materials last indefinitely and can be easily cleaned.
The grand staircase of white Carrara contains mosaics designed by Robert C. Spencer, Jr. of Shepley Rutan and Coolidge. The mosaics were executed in the Tiffany Studios in New York by J. A. Holzer. Above the third floor the staircase is decorated with less elaborate Italian and American marbles and mosaics.
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