Frank Lloyd Wright

Biography: Frank Lloyd Wright

The artist that I chose to write this paper about is Frank Lloyd Wright. Frank Lloyd Wright was born on June 8th, 1867 in Richland Center Wisconsin. Frank attended the University of Wisconsin where he studied civil engineering. Upon his graduation he took a job working as a draftsman under the famous architect, Louis Sullivan in 1888. Sullivan's architectural style known as "form follows function", is known for his integrated ornamentation based on natural themes, which influenced Wright to develop his famous style of architecture which he titled "form and function are one". Wright's style of architecture allows for the natural elements of the land and the architectural elements of his buildings to influence each. With this newly developed style, Wright would now establish his own architectural identity by inventing an American style of architecture not influenced by the traditional European styles which were largely popular in his time. In 1893, Frank parted ways with Louis Sullivan after a falling out between the two over money collected by Frank from side projects led to a disagreement. Wright and Sullivan would later reconcile their differences several years later with Wright referring to Sullivan as his "lieber meister", German for "beloved master". Later in 1893, Wright would establish his own architectural practice. He was recently married, and built a home with a studio in Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago. The home, now known as the "Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio," is one of Chicago's most visited tourist destinations to date. He and his wife would raise all six of their children from this home. It is also from this home, that Frank Lloyd Wright's vision would take hold, as he would begin to design some of the most famous architectural landmarks our nation had ever seen. It was within his studio that his architectural revolution would begin, and the faces of architecture and engineering would ultimately be changed forever.

Artwork #1: Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania

Arguably one of Wright's most famous architectural achievements, Fallingwater, was constructed between 1936 and 1939. This world famous, now national historical landmark was built for the Kaufmann family. The Kaufmann's were a wealthy family who owned a department store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Kaufmann's decided to have the home built after a busy road was built alongside their current summer home and was being overrun with noisy traffic. Wanting a more modern, up-to-date get away for their family to enjoy, the Kaufmann's employed Wright to design them a home. Wright developed plans for a one-of-a-kind home which incorporated his "form and function are one" approach to architecture. The home is located in a dense