Announcing a new book showcasing the art and architecture of the
Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, designed in the two decades
following the Civil War by Chicago architects John C. Cochrane, Alfred
H. Piquenard, and W. W. Boyington.
Titled "Thousand-Year Statehouse: The Art and Architecture of the
Illinois State Capitol," by David L. Finnigan, Assoc. AIA, this book
begins with the story of the capitol and the ancient Greek and European
precedents which inspired its design.
The capitol is notable for its extensive use of carton-pierre, a
light-weight material similar to papier-mache which is formed in moulds
just like conventional plaster or stucco castings, and can be painted or
gilded to imitate any other material.
Chicago architects Vinci-Hamp working with EverGreene Architectural Arts
have recently restored the capitol, and it has never looked better! The
building has been NRHP listed since the 1980s.
The bulk of the book is a room-by-room architectural tour of the
building, calling out the statuary, architectural ornament, iconography,
and the artisans and designers who made them. Over 140, full-page
photos, and closeup photos bring intricate details to hand.
The building has been heavily researched for this book and it features
extensive endnotes and a wealth of new information. The book also
features rooms and spaces not part of the usual guided tour, including
the inside of the dome with its massive wrought ironwork.
Thousand-Year Statehouse is 258 pages, 9x12" hardcover with dustjacket.
It is available now.
Order the book and see more photos at https://illinoishistory.org/