Perry house drawing

272Sylvan · Post by **272Sylvan** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 3:39 pm

A couple of years ago, there was a discussion in this group about the drawing of 272 Sylvan (Perry House). The owner of the drawing at that time wanted $25,000 for the drawing. The consensus in this group seemed to be that Mr. Wright had not drawn it himself, that possibly it was drawn by Wright's son Lloyd. The person who currently owns it has temporarily loaned it to the Glencoe Historic Society. Someone from the Society just e-mailed me to tell me that they had the "Original FLW Drawing" of my house. Any thoughts on describing it this way, since there seems to be some question about who actually drew it?

perry_persp_b by 272Sylvan, on Flickr[/img]

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 5:34 pm

I would say that it was not unusual for architects of that era to have some on their staff or someone they hired specifically for the task to produce the elevation drawings.

Early in Wright career Marion Mahony produced many of his drawings.

Lloyd has been described a terrific draftsman. The drawings that I saw of the James Heald House of two years earlier were done by Lloyd.

In the '30s, '40s and '50s many of the presentation drawings were done by Jack Howe (who had a very identifiable style).

I think it is possible for someone who is familiar with Lloyd's style to analyze that drawing and render an educated opinion.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 7:49 pm

Paul is quite right. The drawing is a vital and valuable piece of the project, no matter which of Wright's able colleagues drew it.

Enlargement of the above-linked image:

pharding · Post by **pharding** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 9:42 pm

That is a fine drawing but it is not by FLW himself. His drawings were more loose and conceptual.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 10:01 pm

I have assumed that, when necessary, Wright could produce a view drawing like this one; that he had done so early on (though I can point to no examples); and that he may have done so at other points, as for instance during the "lean years." Do we know for a fact that this is not true ?

Are elaborate sheets like those for the Heller and Husser houses in his hand ?

Much is said about his drawing ability, among the general public, who have been led or allowed to believe, by those who knew better, that among the drawings he did were presentation perspectives. I am still too much in the dark on this matter . . .

SDR

egads · Post by **egads** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 11:00 pm

I don't think it matters much unless you are buying or selling it.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 11:01 pm

There's more to art than money, surely ?

One of Sidney Robinson's Summit remarks lends credence to the idea that Wright let others draw for him, by and large.

SDR

pharding · Post by **pharding** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 11:09 pm

Look at the beautiful sketches of the Cheney House for FLW drawing at his personal best. And his drawing skills only got better with age.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 11:21 pm

These can't be the one(s) you refer to, surely . . .

DavidC · Post by **DavidC** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 11:21 am

Drawing for sale on eBay by Lloyd Wright

David

DavidC · Post by **DavidC** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 11:55 am

And here's and article that tells us that FLW's drawings "were almost all created by one woman, Marion Mahony Griffin". (see: about 1/3 down the page)

David

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:04 pm

FLW could draw beautifully, as evidenced by the faÃ§ade he drew when applying to A&S shown in "A Testament," page 25, done before he had anyone else he could have do it for him. But once he had his own office, he did what many architects do, and gave the chore to employees. It's a challenge to determine who did what in the Oak Park studio, but in the case of Perry, I would argue that the crisp outline of the building, the detailing of the sky and trees, favor Lloyd as the delineator. I think FLW lacked the patience to spend so much time and effort on perspective drawings of such refinement. Often he would sketch in trees and bushes on drawings prepared by others, usually in a very rough, quick manner.

272Sylvan · Post by **272Sylvan** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 1:25 pm

egads, I did consider buying it, which is why I know what the current owner of the drawing was asking for it several years ago.

My immediate interest in it is the fact that the house is going to be on the FLW Building Conservancy tour of Ravine Bluffs in a few weeks, and I am doing a presentation at the Glencoe Library in May about the work that has been done on the house subsequent to my purchase. I am wondering about the best way to describe the drawing. "From the Office of Frank Lloyd Wright" seems to be a safe choice.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 3:24 pm

1887 (age 20)

1888

1890

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Fri Mar 27, 2015 6:11 pm

On initial observation I would have credited to Marion because of the foliage, but the Perry House, dated 1915, leaves Marion out of the picture as she was in Australia at that point.

So my money is on Lloyd due to the timing.