Schiller Theatre Building, Chicago, Illinois: Banquet Room Frieze Panel (Restored) c. 1891 - 1893

This restored frieze panel was created by Adler and Sullivan for the Schiller Theatre Building in Chicago. The panel is dominated by intricate, symmetrical patterns incorporating vegetal motifs, spirals, and stylized floral elements, all rendered in gold and silver. The spiral, a motif at the heart of this panel, appears throughout art history, from ancient labyrinths to Celtic knotwork, and can be interpreted as a symbol of growth, evolution, and the cyclical nature of life. Similarly, the stylized floral elements echo ancient Egyptian and Greek art. The combination of geometric precision and organic forms resonates with the human psyche, mirroring our dualistic relationship with the world. Perhaps it is this that makes this panel, much like the symbols it contains, a timeless work, engaging viewers across generations on a subconscious level.