These photos are for Friday, July 9, 2010.
After visiting Cedar Rock on Thursday, Jacci and I continued our drive northeast to Spring Green, Wisconsin. Our ultimate goal was to visit Taliesin, the summer home of Frank Lloyd Wright. Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin in 1867, and spent his summers at the home of his uncle, James Lloyd Jones who farmed outside of Spring Green.
Taliesin is Welsh for "shining brow" and it is located on the brow of the hill. It was designed with three wings which included living quarters, an office, and farm buildings. Wright began building the home in 1911, following the scandal of his affair with Mamah Borthwick Cheney, who was the wife of his client, Edwin Cheney. Frank left his wife, and moved to Taliesin with Mamah after Christmas 1911.
We were actually seeing Taliesin III, because the living quarters have been burned twice. The first was while Frank was away from home working. On August 15, 1914 a disgruntled servant set fire to the house and murdered 7 people with an axe, including Mamah and her two children. After this tragedy, the living quarters were rebuilt, and again burned following a lightning strike on April 22, 1925.
So we were seeing the third building of the Taliesin living quarters. Wright and his third wife, Olgivana lived here throughout their lives. What were originally the farm buildings have been transitioned into living quarters for apprentices and other artists, and people still live in these areas. Wright purchased the surrounding 600 acres of farmland and the view is fantastic.
We were not allowed to take photos inside the house, but it is filled with original furniture and built-ins also designed by Wright. Of special interest for my sister, who is not only an appraiser, but an art history major as well, was the Japanese art. Frank Lloyd Wright had traveled to Japan and was a collector of Japanese art. Once you know that, you can see that influence in his architecture as well.
We spent two hours touring the house. It was hot and steamy, but wonderful! We had a fantastic time.
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