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| Marc Chagall's America Windows |
On my winter train trip to Santa Fe, during the lay-over at Chicago's Union Station, I went off to the Art Institute of Chicago--several blocks (but still walking distance) from the train station. It's a jewel of a place with a jewel of a collection. And, this trip, I found one jewel I hadn't seen before: Marc Chagall's America Windows installed in 1977 in commemoration of the American bicentennial. (And in memory of Mayor Richard J. Daley who'd encouraged Chicago's strong tradition of public art.)
There are six stained glass panels in all, each commemorating one of the arts. Each is eight feet high. Taken together, they are some thirty-two feet wide.
In 2005, the windows were taken down for five years so that they would not be compromised during the construction of a new Modern Wing. Once down, they were given a good cleaning. Now they are back in a new spot with even better lighting, the rich cobalt blues sparkling.
The Art Institute of Chicago is very generous in allowing the public to photograph their work. Here, then, are my shots of the panels from left to right. Since they commemorate our bicentennial, I decided to post them in honor of our upcoming July 4th celebration.
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| Panels # 1 and #2 |
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| Panels #3 and #4 |
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| Panels #5 and #6 |
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