Joseph M. Siry, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of the Humanities Department of Art and Art History, Wesleyan University

This lecture explores Frank Lloyd Wright’s interior architecture for three of his most well-known Prairie Houses: the Susan Lawrence Dana House, Springfield, Illinois (1902–04); the Darwin D. Martin House, Buffalo, New York (1903–05); and the Frederick C. Robie House, Chicago, Illinois (1908–10). The lecture will study the architecture’s integration of art glass, built-in and mobile furniture, natural and artificial lighting, heating and ventilating, and plaster, paint, and carpets.  Emphasis will be on how Wright combined these elements into a unified and original aesthetic.

Frank Lloyd Wright, Darwin D. Martin House, Buffalo, New York, 1903–05; Restored 2017; Dining room, living room, and library looking South. Photo Courtesy of Biff Henrich

Frank Lloyd Wright, Frederick C. Robie House, Chicago, Illinois, 1908–10; Restored 2019; Living room looking West. Photo Courtesy of James Caulfield