Masonry Magazine December 1982 Page. 23
Slide Show on
19th Century
Architect
Richardson
Produced
By IMI
Trinity Church in Boston, designed by Henry Hobson Richardson in 1872, was the structure which established his national reputation. This detail shows the intricate patterns created with masonry and the rich stone carvings which have drawn critical acclaim. (Photos by Robert Lautman.)
The Market Development Program of the International Masonry Institute has produced a new slide presentation on the master 19th-century architect Henry Hobson Richardson, whose imaginative use of masonry helped establish his international reputation. With Louis Sullivan's work generally viewed as the initiation of 20th-century design, Richardson is considered to be America's greatest and most original designer of the previous century.
Researched by Dr. Thomas Walton of the Department of Architecture and Planning at Catholic University, the slide presentation provides rich visual studies of 10 of Richardson's buildings, which show masonry at its most magnificent. Included are the acclaimed Trinity Church in Boston, the Allegheny County Courthouse Jail in Pittsburgh, and Sever Hall at Harvard University.
In all his commissions-including churches, libraries, railroad stations, residences, commercial buildings, schools, civic architecture and studies for a triumphal arch and a lighthouse Richardson demonstrated an ability to solve a wide range of architectural problems. He influenced architects throughout the world, including Louis Sullivan in the U.S.
The 102 color slides in the presentation clearly show the variety of original details created by Richardson using such materials as granite, brick, sandstone, brownstone and common boulders. In addition to slides, the set contains a 15-minute narration on cassette tape and two booklets-a written script of the narration, and a longer booklet with biographical notes and detailed commentary on the buildings photographed for use in educational settings.
IMI is distributing the presentation, which costs $75, primarily through local/regional masonry promotion groups. They will use the show as a promotional tool-presenting it as a gift to local universities, or showing it to civic organizations, professional architects and industry gatherings. It is also available on a loan or purchase basis to mason contractor groups. (Contact IMI at 823 15th Street. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.)
"This slide presentation not only inspires awe at the accomplishments and creative genius of Richardson, it also provides visual evidence on how various types of masonry can be used to create structures of power and beauty," said MCAA president Donald O. Leonard. "IMI's 'Henry Hobson Richardson' will undoubtedly be a valuable promotional tool for the masonry industry."
Henry Hobson Richardson, considered to be America's most original 19th century architect, lived from 1838 to 1886. IMI's new audio-visual presentation provides an in-depth look at 10 of the buildings which illustrate the master designer's command of the architectural applications of masonry.
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