Spandrel Panel from the Saint Nicholas Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri 1892 - 1893

Editor: This is a "Spandrel Panel from the Saint Nicholas Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri" made by Adler & Sullivan, Architects between 1892 and 1893. It's a relief carving, now at the Art Institute of Chicago. The geometric patterns give it a sense of almost mathematical precision; what do you see in the panel, in terms of its construction? Curator: The panel offers a rich field for formal analysis. The strong central symmetry immediately asserts itself, structuring our perception. Observe how the radiating lines emanating from the center both create a focal point and extend outwards, connecting to the surrounding frame. Note the interplay between positive and negative space; the carved lines define shapes, but the depth of the carving also establishes voids, contributing to the overall composition. How does this contrasting push and pull play out in your eyes? Editor: I see it now; it's not just lines, but the depth gives it such interesting contrasts. The details around the edges make it almost floral too. So the push and pull helps my eye dance around it. Curator: Precisely! Now consider the surface texture and material. The roughness of the stone and the variations in light and shadow enhance the panel's dimensionality and visual impact. The repetition and variation within the pattern guide the eye through this visual field and demonstrate skillful execution of relief carving. The geometric vocabulary speaks clearly of intentionality. Does that inform your impressions any? Editor: Absolutely. Seeing how intentional the forms are changes my reading entirely. The piece's beauty now rests in the interplay between depth, shadow, geometry, and skill. Thank you. Curator: A keen observation; noticing those components allows us a clearer understanding of the panel and of the architectural ideas it embodied.