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Library Table, from the Eugene A. Gilmore House, Madison, WI

Library Table, from the Eugene A. Gilmore House, Madison, WI

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Not currently on view

Frank Lloyd Wright and George Mann Niedecken

This library table was created for the University Heights home Frank Lloyd Wright designed for Eugene Allen Gilmore (1871–1953), a University of Wisconsin professor of law. This house is the only example of Wright’s high Prairie style in Madison. Wright contracted with George Niedecken, of the Milwaukee-based Niedecken-Walbridge Company, to supply the furnishings for the home, including upholstery and “Stickley furniture” in addition to “special furniture,” which likely included two armchairs and this desk. Niedecken had begun collaborating with Wright on the latter’s interiors as early as 1903 to 1904, but their relationship was firmly established by 1907, when he was providing Wright with custom furnishings, some of which Niedecken designed, others of which were designed by Wright himself. Their professional relationship included a number of Wright’s most important commissions, such as the Robie House in Chicago, and extended until 1917.
Artist
Frank Lloyd Wright and George Mann Niedecken
(American, 1867 – 1959) (American, 1878 – 1945)
Title
Library Table, from the Eugene A. Gilmore House, Madison, WI
Date
1908
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
29 1/2 x 60 x 36 in. overall
Credit
Gift of Drs. Joseph Cunningham and Bruce Barnes
Accession No.
2023.40.1
Classification
Furniture
Geography
United States

Related

1908, commissioned by Eugene A. Gilmore (Madison, WI); by descent to his daughter Elizabeth Gilmore Holt; early 1970s, gifted by Holt to the University of Iowa School of Art and Art History (Iowa City, IA); February 1990, put up for sale by the University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA) [unsold as of October 1990]; By 1992, with the Kelmscott Gallery (Chicago, IL) [1]. 25 March 2007, sold at Wright (Chicago, IL) “Modern + Contemporary Design” auction [lot 192] to Bruce Barnes and Joseph Cunningham (New York, NY); December 2023, gifted to the Chazen Museum of Art. [1] Lender to 1992 Milwaukee Art Museum exhibition.

  • Sprague, Paul E., editor. "Frank Lloyd Wright and Madison: Eight Decades of Artistic and Social interaction." Madison: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 1988. p. 50, fig. 5.12
  • Marvel, Terrence L. "The Wright State: Frank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin." Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Museum, 1992. p. 50

  • Wright State, The: Frank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin: Milwaukee Art Museum, 9/2/1992–11/8/1992
  • Frank Lloyd Wright and Madison: Eight Decades of Artistic and Social Interaction: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 9/2/1988–11/6/1988

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