Prairie flora ornamentation: portraying early 20th century modernism and the wonderful photography of Clarence Fuermann

Louis H. Sullivan, Architect
Merchants National Bank, Grinnell, Iowa
NW corner of Fourth Ave. and Broad St., Grinnell, Iowa, U.S.A.
1913-1914
Exterior detail / front entrance
Photographer: Henry Fuermann and Sons [Chicago]
Image is from the Art Institute of Chicago, Historic Architecture and Landscape Image Collection. Copyright, © Ryerson & Burnham Archives, All rights reserved. (1)

This is a wonderful photograph depicting the architectural façade of one of Louis Sullivan’s jewel box bank buildings. This documentary image shows photographer Clarence Fuermann’s interest in the literal flatness of the picture plane and is indicative of twentieth century modernism.

1. Fuermann, Henry, and Sons,. Merchants National Bank (Grinnell, Iowa). Ryerson & Burnham Archives, Historic Architecture and Landscape Image Collection, Chicago. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.