Tombs of Louis Sullivan

jetsetter · #1 Posted **Jul 14, 2009, 4:37 AM**

For those who do not know Louis Sullivan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Sullivan) was an architect out of Chicago who operated from the mid nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. He designed several tombs during his career and I find them quite interesting. I do not consider him the "father of modernism". His style of architecture is much superior. He is one of my favorite architects.

Wainwright Tomb

joseph a: http://www.flickr.com/photos/josepha/3383063064/

joseph a: http://www.flickr.com/photos/josepha...n/photostream/

joseph a: http://www.flickr.com/photos/josepha...n/photostream/

Getty Tomb

Atelier Teee: http://www.flickr.com/photos/atelier_tee/258239106/

Atelier Teee: http://www.flickr.com/photos/atelier_tee/258236123/

Atelier Teee: http://www.flickr.com/photos/atelier...7594306600267/

Ryerson Tomb

Atelier Teee: http://www.flickr.com/photos/atelier...7594306600267/

Zerton · #2 Posted **Jul 15, 2009, 3:14 PM**

I think what makes him so great is his modernist principles so beautifully decorated by the elaborate art-nouveau decor.

see the building on the right:

http://www.american-architecture.inf...HIC-LS-023.htm

HomeInMyShoes · #3 Posted **Jul 15, 2009, 8:42 PM**

^Agreed. While he was certainly important in the development of the modern skyscraper, his work has a distinctive flare.

Thanks for posting the tombs jetsetter. Nice to see the ornamental work on a smaller scale.

Wainwright Building, St. Louis, MO (photo by me)

plinko · #4 Posted **Jul 15, 2009, 8:46 PM**

Necrotecture is really interesting. Alot of well known architects have actually designed tombs (or columnbariums). Mario Botta and Raphael Moneo are two that I can think of offhand.

Bedhead · #5 Posted **Jul 15, 2009, 11:11 PM**

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

Those spare, monumental tombs remind me a bit of the WWI memorials of the English architect, Lutyens.

Dioctria, flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/dioctria/3255715220/

ethereal_reality · #6 Posted **Jul 16, 2009, 1:45 AM**

Louis Sullivan's grave in Graceland Cemetery is also quite beautiful.

In the 1990s I lived on the 3rd floor of an apartment on Kenmore Ave.
and I could see his grave from my back porch.

That's me in the pic acting stupid.

I don't remember the grass being so burnt.

Graceland Cemetery is home to the Getty Tomb and the Ryerson Tomb.
The Wainwright Tomb is in St. Louis.

Thanks for starting this interesting thread jetsetter.

(four 0 four) · #7 Posted **Jul 16, 2009, 3:49 PM**

Great idea for a thread!

The Wainwright Building looks similar to Sullivan's Gauranty Building in Buffalo...

wrab · #8 Posted **Jul 16, 2009, 5:45 PM**

The Wainwright and the Guaranty are both spectacular towers - I can never decide which of the two I like the best.

WilliamTheArtist · #9 Posted **Jul 16, 2009, 7:50 PM**

Neat thread, thanks for sharing. Sullivan definitely had a wonderful vision and flair. Clean lined structures, often encrusted with lush "jewelry" and textures.

ethereal_reality · #10 Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 2:10 AM**

....very interesting, the juxtapositioning of 'clean' lines and nouveau elegance.

FMR-STL · #11 Posted **Jul 18, 2009, 11:02 PM**

Very Interesting..! Do you think in a thousand years + or so that they might
be dug up and displayed in a museum? Are there any written or a scribed
history of his life ? Is there a message for future generations to discover?
Can't tell until we get inside..!