Tag Archives: Art

Freakin Tiquen 2023 – Destination Detriot Part 5 – Art & Architecture

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Vintage postcard of Detroit, Michigan. Image from amazon.com.

We spent our last sightseeing day exploring some of the art and architecture of Detroit. We visited three great attractions: The Detroit Institute of Arts, the Fisher Building and the William Livingston Lighthouse.

Detroit Institute of Arts

The rear entrance to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Photo by the authors.

Stop number one, a visit to the Detroit Institute of Arts. This museum is famous for their amazing collection in over 100 galleries covering 658,000 square feet. The origins of the museum date back to 1881.

Newspaper magnet, James E. Scripps (1835 – 1906) toured Europe for five months and kept a journal of his family’s trip through Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands. After returning to the United States, he printed portions of the journal in his paper The Detroit News. These popular serialized journal entries were published in book form later that year, leading to an art exhibit in 1883. The exhibit inspired many prominent Detroit citizens to form a board to create a permanent art museum. And in 1888 the Detroit Museum of Arts opened its doors.

The Detroit Museum of Arts on Jefferson Avenue. The building was razed in 1960. Image from wikipedia.org.

With the changing of the museum’s name to the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1919, also came the search for a new and larger location. Breaking ground for the present building in 1923 its doors opened four years later.

A grand entrance and our guides. Photo by authors.

: A closer view of the barrel ceiling. Photo by authors

: Pewabic tile water fountain. Photo by the authors.

We were lucky to have great tour guides to show us around the museum in our friends David, Jules and their son Owen. I was there to see the Diego Rivera murals and not much else. But there was so much more that I would have missed if it was not for our friends pointing out the other treasures and other parts of the building.

Detroit Industry Murals

Diego Rivera - Detroit Institute of Arts

Introduction to Diego Rivera and his murals. Photo by the authors.

Vast mural to the right. Photo by the authors.

The frieze above far wall. Photo by the authors.

One of the large panels of the Detroit Industry Mural.

One of the large panels of Rivera’s Detroit Industry Mural. Photo by the authors.

: A corner detail. Photo by the authors.

: Pewabic tile floor medallion. Photo by authors.

Looking back from where we entered and Anthony, too!. Photo by the authors.

A (very) Small Sampling of the Art Collection

: The Diggers, by van Gogh. Photo by the author.

: Vincent van Gogh, 1889. Photo by the author.

: View of Le Crotoy from Upstream by George Seurat. Photo by the authors.

: George Seurat, 1889. Photo by the authors.

: Mont Sainte Victoire by Paul Cézanne. Photo by the authors.

: Paul Cézanne, 1904-06. Photo by the authors.

: Self-Portrait by Vincent van Gogh. Photo by the authors.

: Vincent van Gogh, 1887. Photo by the authors.

: Arrangement in Gray: Portrait of the Painter by James McNeill Whistler. Photo by the authors.

: James McNeill Whistler, 1872. Photo by the authors.

: Culebra Cut by Jonas Lie. Photo by authors.

: Jonas Lie, 1913. Photo by the authors.

Babylonian Exhibit

An interesting and informative exhibit. Photo by the authors.

: Ziggurat brick, 859-825 BCE. Photo by the authors.

: Bronze ceremonial belt, 850-650 BCE. Photo by the authors.

: Mosaic with the Personification of the River Tigris, late 100-200. Photo by the authors.

: Mosaic by unknown artist, late 100-200

Is it real or a fake? A genuine archeological mystery. Photo by the authors.

Sampling of Miscellaneous Exhibits

Metal and glass - Detroit Institute of Arts

A variety of utility wares. Note the “Art Deco” teapot (#5) from 1800. Photo by the authors.

Metal and porcelain ware. Photo by the authors.

Eastern culture inspired design. Photo by the authors.

: Lajos Mack, circa 1900. Photo by the authors.

: Otto Prutscher liquor set, Vienna Austria. Photo by the authors.

Tiffany table lamp with dragonfly motif.

Tiffany table lamp with a dragonfly motif, 1899 – 1902. Photo by the authors.

Joseph Urban Gondola chairs and matching table.

Pair of Gondola chairs with matching table, designed by Joseph Urban for the Weiner Werkstätte shop, New York City, 1922. Photo by the authors.

After exploring the Detroit Institute of Arts it was time for lunch. We lunched at the museum with our friends who were kind enough to spend the morning showing us around the museum.

Our Guides to the Museum David & Jules Quin with their son Owen.

Our guides, David and Jules Quin and their son Owen. Photo by the authors.

After lunch Chris and I headed to our tour of the Fisher Building.

The Fisher Building

The view of the Fisher Building from the car as we headed back to our hotel. Photo by the authors.

After lunch with our friends at the museum we headed off to our next destination. On a very hot day, we toured the beautiful and recently restored Fisher Building. Designed by Albert Kahn in 1927 for the Fisher Brothers’ as there central headquarters of the Fisher Body Corporation. The original design called for three towers; the other two, casualties of the Great Depression.

Preliminary drawing of the original design of the Fisher Building. Image from internationalmetropolis.com.

Still, with no expense spared, first class artisans contributed their talents from engineering to the fine detail work throughout. And he most notable feature is the three story arcade featuring Géza Maróti, hand-painted barrel-vaulted ceiling. Recognized as “Detroit’s Largest Art Object”, it is undergoing continued restoration since 2015 at the cost of 30 million dollars.

The western facade of the Fisher Building, taken from the parking lot on West Grand Boulevard. Photo by the authors.

Detail of the upper floors of the Fisher Building's western facade.

Upper floor details on the Western facade. Photo by the authors.

Free tours are available but you need to call ahead to reserve a place. Our guide tended to be a bit “superior” in attitude. Add to this this, an ex-Fisher Building guide was part of our group and the knowledge egos were on full display. Regardless, the tours are informative and well worth the time.

Main Floor Views

The Fisher Building Story

Fisher Building vestibule ceiling light.

Brass and frosted glass vestibule ceiling light. Photo by the authors.

Samples of the bronze plaques decorating the walls between the main floor and first balcony above. Photos by the authors.

Opposing mosaics at the end of the west gallery celebrate the artists’ craft. Photo by the authors.

The building is clad in marble and showcases intricate mosaics and bronze detailing throughout. The tower once feature gold leaf tiles. Covered in asphalt to prevent detection during WWII, this coating could not be removed without further damage. Now, green terra cotta tiles illuminated by gold lights pay homage to the original design.

Views from the Main Floor

: Additional mosaic and an inlaid bronze tribute. Photo by the authors.

: Above is one of the many hand painted ceilings and custom designed chandelier. Photo by the authors.

Bronze inlays symbolizing air, earth, fire and water, surround Mercury, the god of transportation. All are set in various tones of marble. Photo by the authors.

: View of the main gallery. Small shops and boutiques line the lobby.

: A view of the main entrance atrium. Photo by the authors.

A striking, and recently renovated, hand-painted ceiling. Photo by the authors.

: A view an entrance arcade. Photo by the authors.

: Detail of a mail slot. Every detail is harmonious to the overall vision. Photo by the authors.

Looking up, and down the gallery. The ceiling is completely hand-painted. Photo by the authors.

The interior boast a state-of-the-art theatre and a variety of boutique shops.

Second & Third Floor Views

: Looking down toward the main atrium. Photo by the authors.

: The grand gallery. Shops and boutiques line the first floor. Photo by the authors.

: The smaller mezzanine lights compliment the intricately painted barrel ceilings. Photo by the authors.

: Detail of another barrel arch with a different motif. Photo by the authors.

Detail of the medallion above the intersecting hallways below. Photo by the authors.

: Arches create unique views of the artistry throughout the building. Photo by the authors.

: Intersecting arches creating interesting compositions. Photo by the authors.

You get a feeling of the building’s scale in relationship to people. Photo by the authors.

: The architecture creates its own art. Photo by the authors.

: Arches create frames for the art. Photo by the authors.

: An interplay of arches and color compliment each other. Photo by the author

The intersection of arches creating an abstract heart. Photo by the authors.

: Even the balustrades are works of art, Photo by the authors.

: Fluted columns and complimentary railings frame elements of the building. Photo by the authors.

: Second floor mezzanine / gallery. Photo by the authors.

: Pierced metal detail and etched shades of one chandelier. Photo by the authors

: The gallery with shops below. Photo by the authors.

: View from the mezzanine. Note the plaque of Mercury below. Photo by the authors.

View of the arcade (and Chris taking a photo) from the third floor. Photo by the authors.

The Executive Suites

Etched elevator doors. Photo by the author.

: The executive elevator call button. Photo by the authors.

: Door knob detail. Photo by the author

Views from the 26th Floor

: The view south towards downtown. Photo by the authors.

: Looking north. Photo by the authors.

The Lower Level

If you visit the Fisher Building, be sure to check out the lower level. Built for general services (mail room, rest rooms, etc.) it is less ornate than the main floors above. However, it still has striking features to be appreciated.

Main staircase of the lower level. Photo by the authors.

The tile floor in the lower level men’s restroom. Photo by the authors.

Lower level elevator bay. Photo by the authors

The William Livingstone Lighthouse

The William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse on Belle Isle.

The William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse. Photo by the authors.

Standing on the northeast corner of Belle Isle in the Detroit River is the William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse. It is named in honor of the long-time president of the Lake Carriers Association, president of Dime Bank and owner of the Detroit Evening Journal. The lighthouse was dedicated on October 17, 1930, the fifth anniversary of Livingstone’s death.

Dedication ceremony of the Livingstone Lighthouse, 1930.

Dedication ceremony of the William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse, October 17, 1930. Image from: lighthousefriends.com

This was our first glimpse of the lighthouse on the trail from the parking lot. Photo by the authors.

Like the Fisher Building the lighthouse was design by Albert Kahn with decorative elements by Géza Maróti. The 58 foot, fluted column is the only marble lighthouse in the United States. Topping the Georgia marble clad lighthouse is an octagonal bronze enclosure that houses the 8,600-candlepower beacon. The light is visible for fifteen miles. Encircling the top of the tower, just below the beacon are soaring, bronze eagles.

The summit of the Livingstone Lighthouse.

The top of the Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse. Photo by the authors.

Above the entrance is a Maróti bas relief of a woman symbolizing humanity overcoming nature. The star, the wind and the water in the relief are representing navigation and seafaring.

Detail of the entrance and Maróti bas relief of the Livingstone Lighthouse.

Detail of the Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse and Maróti bas relief over the entrance. Photo by the authors.

Maróti also created the dedication plaque on the back of the lighthouse.

The Livingstone Lighthouse dedication plaque.

Maróti’s dedication plaque. Photo by the authors.

Much of the island has mature trees which render the lighthouse’s original purpose obsolete. But the setting is beautiful.

The Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse on Belle Isle.

Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse. Photo by the authors.

A funny story: we overheard a young couple discussing the tower. The woman, in total awe said the tower must be 600 feet tall. The young man looked at her and laughing said, “No. That would be a hundred of me tall.”

William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse on Belle Isle. Photo by the authors.

Even though we found a few great pieces, like the rosewood corner and Howell chrome tube tables, Detroit did not prove to be too successful for what we collect. What we did find great were all the great attractions Detroit had to offer. From the Henry Ford Museum, to the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica to Cranbrook and all the sites in this post, Detroit was a fantastic Driving for Deco destination.

Chris & Anthony (The Freakin’, Tiquen Guys)

Hanging Around – Our collection of Art Deco Art

When it comes to creating an Art Deco atmosphere in the home it’s the details that count. And that includes what hangs on the walls. This post will look at some of the pieces that we have in our Art Deco collections. While it is nice to have original art work, this is all about appearance and not if the piece is original or reproduction.

ANTHONY’S COLLECTION

The First Piece

In 1982 when I started to collect Art Deco this was the first piece of art I purchased. I came across this reproduction of William Welsh’s Winter at the Englishtown Auction, a huge flea market not far from where I use to live in New Jersey. The only problem with it was the frame it had. Here is a recreation of how it looked when I found it.

Rustic wood frame for Welsh's print of Winter.

A recreation of the frame my print of Winter was in when I bought it in 1982.

Being 18 years old, and very snobbish, I felt the frame lacked sophistication. I asked the vendor if I could buy the print only. Being very nice he said yes and let me have it for only $5.00.

And here is that print after I had it matted and reframed. It has been with me now for almost forty years and it will always have a special place in my home.

Winter. By William Weldon Welsh for the February, 1931 cover of the Woman’s Home Companion.

Tamara de Lempicka

FRANCE – JANUARY 01, 1931: Tamara de Lempicka, in a dress by Marcel Rochas. Paris. Photography by d’Ora, around 1931. (Photo by Imagno/Getty Images) [Tamara de Lempicka in einem Kleid von Marcel Rochas. Paris. Photographie von d’Ora, um 1931.]

In our opinion, one of the artists who really exemplifies the Art Deco era, would be the Polish artist, Tamara de Lempicka (1898-1980). Of course original Lempicka paintings will never be in our price range. But modern reproductions suffice just fine. Her style, subject matter (both classical and modern) and use of bold colors instantly adds a sophisticated Deco touch to any room.

Portrait of Dr. Boucard and Portrait of Madame M.

Here are two prints of de Lempicka’s work that I framed myself. Because they are not a standard size, the bottom of the both extend below the matte. But it was a lot less expensive than getting them professionally done and they still give the effect I was after. On the left is Portrait of Dr. Boucard (1929) and on the right is Portrait of Madame M (1932).

Portrait of Madame Allan Bott.

The Portrait of Madame Allan Bott (1929) I have on the landing of my staircase. I love Lempicka’s use of stylized backgrounds of either abstract geometric shapes as in the portrait of the doctor or of a cityscape.

Pochoir & Collotype

These next two pieces, I do not know much about, but they are vintage. What I do know by looking at them is the pochoir is typical 1920s and the collotype is pure late 1930s. The pochoir and collotype that I own are very feminine. I believe young ladies were their target audience.

Pochoir print. Typical style of mid to late 1920s with its elaborate, stylized background and 18th century subject matter. Still in its original matte and frame.

Pochoir is a stencil process. In fact pochoir is French for stencil. Becoming popular in the the 1890s pochoir fell from favor in the later 1930s. But at its height during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras, many pieces prints were made using the process. Brushing ink through precut stencils created each layer of the print or added color to a black and white image. Click here for more about the technique and history of pochoir process. I would love to know more about this print. It is French and signed, unfortunately, I cannot read the stamp signature in the bottom right corner. There may be more information underneath the matte, but I am not so curious to take it out of its frame.

The pochoir print on my bedroom wall next to a 1950s photolithography print of the George Washington Bridge.

While my pochoir print is intricately elaborate, with its detail, my collotype is a model of streamline simplicity. A collotype is a dichromate photographic process invented in 1855. I won mine from the online auction site Everything But the House last year. I did need to frame the print as the original frame from the 1930s was falling apart.

The Art Deco collotype I won on ebth.com still in its original frame.

My Art Deco collotype inside its original frame. Image from ebth.com.

And here is the collotype in its new frame. I had the framer reuse the original glass.

If I am to be completely honest, I find the image to be a bit creepy. She seems to be somewhere between a “Stepford Wife” and one of the children from The Village of the Damned. But it is very late 1930’s and goes well in that corner of my TV room.

Collotype in the corner of my TV room, with a Lloyd Manufacturing Co. chair and an unmarked uplighter floor lamp.

I wanted the new frame to match the original as close as possible. I think my choice keeps the 1930s flavor of the original.

Woodcuts & Etching

Also hanging around in my TV are two woodcuts and etching, from the 1930s and 1940s. The etching was another purchase from the Golden Nugget Flea Market, readers of this blog know that is one of my favorite places to go antiquing. I am particularly partial to Depression era urban scenes in what has come to be known as “the WPA style”.

About seven years ago I bought this woodcut from the 272 Antiques & Collectibles Marketplace in Stevens, Pennsylvania (just south of Adamstown).

The art of the woodcut. This was one of 12 used in a 1941 calendar.

Woodcut from a 1941 calendar.

I believe it is from a 1941 calendar produced by a Chicago art school as a fund raiser. I was struck by the use of the bold orange ink instead of the usually black. And the stylization of the lumberjacks sawing a log is very characteristic of late American Depression era art.

But my favorite of the woodcuts that I own, is “The Wounded Stag”. Yes, the subject matter is on the gruesome side, but it is a striking piece of art. Engraved by the Polish artist, Stanislaw Ostoja-Chrostowski (1897 – 1947), in 1930 and featured in an exhibit of lithography and wood engravings sponsored by the Art Institute of Chicago.

Stanislaw Ostoja-Chrostowski's "The Wounded Stag" sold by the Art of Institute of Chicago, 1930-1931.

Woodcut “The Wounded Stag” (1931) by Stanislaw Ostoja-Chrostowski. Sold by the Art Institute of Chicago.

For $5.00 dollars one could purchase “The Wounded Stag” from the show, unframed. The date on my print is 1931 and the frame gives every indication of being from that time as well. There seems to be two versions of this image, a smaller size one is in the collection of the Dallas Museum of Art. According to the show catalog bookplates by Chrostowski were for sale for $10.00. It is possible that the smaller version is one of the bookplates.

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As I mentioned earlier, I love the look of Depression era / WPA style art. So when I came across the etching titled “Outskirts” (1940) at the Golden Nugget Flea Market I quickly snatched it up. This bleak winter scene features a few men near a railroad trestle and some factories in what could be the Bronx or Queens, New York.

Jacob Friedland's 1940 etching "Outskirts". New York City WPA Art Project.

“Outskirts” (1940) by Jacob Friedland. New York City WPA Art Project.

Jacob Friedland is the artist. There is not much information about him. He is most associated as the engraver for the etchings of Louis Lozowick. In 1933 both Lozowick and Friedland taught etching and engraving at the John Reed Club School of Art in Manhattan. “Outskirts” is one of the few pieces of art that is by Friedland, the other is a similar subject called “Backyards”. “Outskirts” is a commission of the New York City WPA Art Project a branch of the Federal Art Project (FAP). To date it is the only actual artwork of the WPA that I own. But I’m always on the lookout for more.

Anthony's collection of woodcuts and etchings.

Anthony’s TV room showing his collection of 1930s / 1940s etching and woodcuts.

The above photos show the woodcuts and etching on the wall in my TV room. They help to deflect attention away from my late 1990s loveseat, one piece of furniture that I really want to replace.

CHRIS’ COLLECTION

As mentioned, we prefer original art when possible. Sometimes we luck out. Here is a Navy campaign advertisement by J.C. Leyendecker (1874-1951) we picked up at an antique mall several years ago. The Navy kept using this ad from 1918 – World War II. Leyendecker is best known for his Arrow Collars series. And, his work graced covers for The Saturday Evening Post, Collier’s, Literary Digest and more. He understood not only the importance of art as art, but also the emotional connection between the picture and the viewer.

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Original 1918 Navy poster by J.C. Leyendecker

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With the exception of the Leyendecker poster, I lucked out and found all of the following at my local Goodwill.

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Drink posters are always popular. Colorful and dynamic, an original print will easily set you back thousands of dollars. Good quality reproductions can be purchased at extremely reasonable prices. And, reproductions are a more manageable size for the average home.

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“Bitter Campari” is by Spiratello Leonetto Cappiello (1875-1942) and designed in 1912. The original poster size is 38.98 x 27.17 inches.

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Spiratello Leonardo Cappiello – 1921 (repro)

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“Cognac Jacques” is a reproduction of a poster by Camille Bouchet (1799 – 1890). The 1887 original measures 66 ¼ x 50 inches. During his lifetime, Bouchet is noted for producing his work in a variety of sizes and finishes to make his work accessible to the consumer (and, no doubt increase his income). This advertisement was used and remained immensely popular through 1925. It may not be a deco period piece, but certainly was part of the art deco period. Wouldn’t it look nice in your deco room?

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Cognac Jacques – Bouchet – 1910 (repro)

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“Kina” is based on the original by American artist Robys (Robert Wolff, 1905-1977). The original 1937 art has the word LILLET between Kina and the bottom text. An original poster is 79 x 52 inches. Hope you have a lot of wall space!

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Kina – Robys – 1937 (repro)

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“Champagne” is by J. Stall (1874-1933) and designed in 1930. Like “Kino”, the original is quite large at 63 x 46.6 inches. Very little is known about the artist though he may have used the alias J. Spring.

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Champagne – J. Stall – circa 1930 (repro)

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“Spumanti” is circa 1920 by Carlo Nicco (1883-1973). The original artwork has the text “Martini & Rossi” and “TORINO” under the text shown. Little information is available about this artist.

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Spumanti – Carlo Ricco – 1920 (repro)

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“Martini” is a contemporary work by Steve Forney. A commercial artist, he purposely emulates the art deco style with a modern twist.

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Martini – contemporary art

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In the thirties style is “Brook Farm” by contemporary artist, Ruth Franklin. This is an artist’s proof – essentially a test run before final production. Originally from Kent, England, she now lives and works from her home in Decatur, Georgia.

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Brook Farm – contemporary art, Ruth Franklin

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Hoyland Bettinger (1890-1950) created a series of coastal wood engravings in the 1930’s. This is an original work entitled “Perce Fisherman”. Bettinger was born in Lima, NY and relocated to Newton Lower Falls, Mass. He vacationed frequently in Perce, Quebec and later moved to California. While living and working in Carmel, he slipped on some loose rocks and fell to his death.

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Perce Fisherman – Hoyland Bettinger, original art, circa 1930

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“The Café De Paris” is another original work we own. This light-hearted Parisian scene is by French Artist, Marie Louise Ogier (1912-2003).

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Circa 1930 – original by Marie Louise Ogier

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Produced between 1930-1939, my original Diana the Huntress wall plaque is large and heavy. I purchased this at a antique store Indiana. This example has a steel core built up with plaster gypsum and has its original factory gesso coating.

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1930’s Diana the Huntress plaque as displayed in my living room. Quite the focal point!

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There isn’t a lot of information online. However, my research indicates that some are incised with “G.R 1935”, mine is not. Both originals and lighter weight plastic reproductions are available online. And, depending on size and composition, are priced from several hundred to several thousands of dollars. They are available in sizes from 18 inches to 33.5 inches.

While my example has a gilded scarf, others are completely plain or heavily ornamented with silver and gold leaf. You can also find examples backed with mirror.

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So, here you have just a sampling of our art collections. Whether an original work of art or a good quality reproduction, if it brings you joy, it’s worth the price! Don’t forget to check those bins at your local thrift store. Or, dig a little at the flea market. You just never know what you’ll find hanging around.