The Garden of the Phoenix (1935)

By Unknown, 1935

This image was taken shortly after the completion of the restoration of the Phoenix Pavilion and addition of a Japanese garden is takenddrawing of the Phoenix Pavilion and Japanese garden is based on construction drawings prepared by the Chicago Park District  between 1935 and 1941 under the direction of Superintendent George T. Donohue. Enlisting support from experts from Japan and in the United States, Donohue restored the Phoenix Pavilion gifted by Japan to Chicago at the end of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and added a traditional Japanese garden. Upon the project’s completion, the building and garden were considered the best examples outside of Japan.   

The original drawings are in black and white, and include planting plans and other details necessary for contractors to build the Japanese garden and install the tea house and other elements, including a moon bridge and numerous lanterns, which were part of the Japanese exhibit at Chicago’s second world’s fair - The Century of Progress held in 1933-34.

For this drawing, Karr combined important elements from several site plans, including the Torii gate to the west and fencing on the north and south. Together, this unique site plan is a single expression of the fully developed site. Color was added to provide the viewer a sense of the site’s depth and complexity.

FRAME: Cherry

MAT STYLE: White Mat

ARTWORK SIZE: 23" x 20.29"

FRAME SIZE: 27" x 24.25"

PRICE: $1100.00

ITEM: UI-GOTP103