28 Dec photographic images of daniel brenner’s 1956 “louis sullivan architecture of free enterprise exhibit” rediscovered

when looking for a document in daniel brenner’s archive the other day, i stumbled across a folder containing remarkable images (nickel?) from the “louis sullivan and the architecture of free enterprise” exhibit held at the art institute in 1956. 

if i recall correctly, frank Lloyd wright, who spoke and/or attended the exhibit said “this is not my louis sullivan.” perhaps the “free enterprise” irked him. i need to dig further. 

digitized and edited images courtesy of the ryerson and burnham archive, art institute of chicago. booklet and invite courtesy of tim samuelson and eric j. nordstrom.

detail of the ornamental cast iron ornament wrapping around the freestanding columns flanking the exhibit’s entrance. the columns used in the exhibit were salvaged from adler and sullivan’s jewelers building (1881) during its storefront renovation. additional pieces were found with the columns when discovered in the basement of the building.