01 Feb aaron siskind and richard nickel photographs of louis sullivan-designed ornament taken between 1953-54.

three photographic images taken of louis h. sullivan-designed ornament adorning adler and sullivan buildings by notable photographers aaron siskind and richard nickel in the 1950s for the institute of design photo section project. sadly, only one of the three adler and sullivan commissions remains standing.

first image: carved bedford limestone impost block detail from adler and sullivan’s walker warehouse (1892) taken shortly before it was demolished in 1953.

second image: red sandstone panel detail from adler and sullivan’s wainwright building (1891).

third image: red slip terra cotta detail from adler and sullivan’s ruben rubel residence (1884) shortly before it was demolished in 1958.

images courtesy of ryerson and burnham, art institute of chicago and john vinci collection.