Alfonso Iannelli
Alfonso Iannelli | |
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Sculpting and industrial design | |
Movement | Streamline Moderne, Prairie School |
Alfonso Iannelli (February 17, 1888 – March 23, 1965) was an Italian-American sculptor, artist, and industrial designer.
Based in Chicago for most of his life, Iannelli was born in
From 1910 to 1915, he designed posters for the vaudeville acts appearing at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. Architect John Lloyd Wright saw his work, and the two became friends. John introduced Iannelli's work to his father, Frank Lloyd Wright, who invited Iannelli to work with him on his Midway Gardens project in 1914. Iannelli created several of the Midway's Sprite sculptures for Wright. Wright, however, claimed credit for the pieces, leading to a bitter division and the ultimate demise of their partnership.
He also collaborated with Chicago architect Ernest A. Grunsfeld III on several Art Déco-style plaques in 1929 to 1930 for the Adler Planetarium. These contributions include the zodiac signs of astrology and depictions of the planets in their mythological forms. About this time, Ianelli also designed an exterior fountain for the Riverside Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1] Noted architect Bruce Goff completed the building in 1929 for a local music teacher named Patti Adams Shriner.[2] The Riverside Studio was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
Afterward, Iannelli collaborated with noted Chicago area
He went on to open Iannelli Studios in Park Ridge, Illinois, in collaboration with his wife Margaret, a talented illustrator and artist in her own right. Iannelli Studios grew to become one of Chicago's most famous art studios at the time. They included more collaborators and expanded into commercial design, advertising, product design, and architectural interiors.
Among Iannelli's most famous industrial designs are the
He was the father of Fons Iannelli, the photo-journalist and grandfather of Kim Iannelli, who under the name Kim King played with Lothar and the Hand People.[4]
He died in Chicago on 23 March 1965.[5]
Images
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Church of Saint Francis Xavier, Kansas City, Missouri, one of several churches designed by architect Barry Byrne incorporating architectural sculpture by Iannelli
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Replicas of the Midway Gardens Sprites, located at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona
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Figure of Mother Mary above the entrance of the Immaculata High School, Chicago (removed circa 1981).The statue is now located at the former home and studio of Iannelli at 255 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge.
References
- ^ Krehbiel, Randy. "Riverside Studio's hillside hideaway has art deco spotlighted." Tulsa World. April 22, 2001. Accessed March 22, 2017.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Riverside Studio". 2001. Retrieved 2013-01-27.
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(help) - ^ "William Gray Purcell papers, N3, Northwest Architectural Archives, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis, MN".
- ^ "The Band". Lothar and the Hand People. Lothar and the Hand People. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ Hughes, Edan. "Artists in California, 1786-1940". AskArt. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
His last 50 years were spent in Chicago; he died there on March 23, 1965.
External links
- Alfonso Iannelli - Architect, Artist and Designer
- Iannelli (and Wright) out of the Storeroom
- Catlow Theater
- Pickwick Theatre
- Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
- Purcell and Elmslie
- Barry Byrne
- Alfonso Iannelli collection, N235, Northwest Architectural Archives, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis, MN