Chicago Cultural Center
Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center
Our Monday Sketch group met in Chicago Cultural Center today. Nobody can call us uncultured now! Us and about 90 Chicago seniors who happened to have some kind of event there. They looked about 80 and upward and were extremely frisky, running around like spring chickens, although some dragged their unused canes behind. I pray I would be that energetic when I get to be their age…
Chicago Cultural Center was built in 1897 at a cost of $2 million of that money. The firm of Shepley, Rutan and Collidge of Boston had the honor of doing it. These are the same guys who designed the Art Institute of Chicago.
We sketched in the Preston Bradley Hall on the third floor. Named in honor of an important Chicago theologian, the Hall is spectacular. The space is beautifully proportioned and exquisitely decorated: 38-foot tall Tiffany stained glass dome and Tiffany chandeliers, Carrara marble walls inlaid with mosaic of color stones, glass and mother-of-pearl, just to name a few things.
I was seduced by the curves of entryway arches and the ceiling and set out to sketch far too large of a view. You probably need to sit there for a week to do justice to the details. I had an hour and a half. Mechanical pencil and micron pen.
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i love your picture very much. i would like to know what the quote is. i also am not sure which building this is, but your picture is quite charming and i now want to visit it.
I found this:
Books are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind, which are delivered down from generation to generation as presents to the posterity of those who are yet unborn. – Joseph Addison
This building used to be the main Chicago library before the library moved south to 400 S. State.
Keep up the good work! Great job!
wow – gorgeous!
I just love Chicago and can’t wait to return, hopefully one day soon.
you’ve handled this so well. love it!
You are too kind, Christy! Do let me know if you come to Chicago, I’d love to show you the city like locals know it. It would be so much fun.
wow, thanks Alex – I will!
This is a great sketch of a complicated and beautiful place!
Thank you, Barbara! I missed you there.