Lunette and decorative panel 1884 - 1885

These terracotta panels were made by Louis Henri Sullivan, though the exact date is unknown. Sullivan was an architect, part of the Chicago School, and an early proponent of the skyscraper. These panels are made from humble, everyday materials, yet their decoration is far from ordinary. Notice how the natural properties of the terracotta – its earthy color and ability to be molded – influence their appearance. The clay is pressed into molds, allowing for the relatively quick production of many identical parts. This hints at the social context in which Sullivan was working. Mass production was transforming society, and the construction industry along with it. Sullivan embraced this change. He used terracotta ornament extensively, because it allowed him to enrich buildings with detailed, organic motifs, but at a reasonable cost. So, while these panels may seem like simple architectural details, they represent a profound shift in attitudes towards materials, making, and the role of design in an increasingly industrialized world.