2014-2015 HUMANITIES CENTER BROWN BAG COLLOQIUM SERIES

Understanding Cass Gilbert and the Third Floor Loggia at the Public Library

Tuesday, April 28, 2015 12:30pm-1:30pm Room 2339 F/A Bldg The concept of the zodiac was found throughout the ancient world from Greece to Babylon to India, and designs featuring the zodiac can be found in floor and ceiling decorations of the ancient architecture of multiple cultures. As neoclassical architecture maintained popularity from the 18th into the 20th century, we continue to see exam- ples of the zodiac being used in modern buildings. One architect who seemed particularly fond of this motif was Cass Gilbert (1859-1934). Gilbert used zodiac motifs in several of his designs such as the capitol building in St. Paul, , the St. Louis Public library in Missouri, and closer to home, the main branch of the (1921). Gilbert incorporated a zodiac motif in the extended tile floor of the loggia on the 3rd floor of the library. This paper will detail the design elements of Gilbert’s zodiac, describing the materials used in its construc- tion and the artistic composition of the design. This paper will also compare the DPL zodiac to classical designs as well as zodiac motifs done in other Gilbert buildings. Michele Valerie Ronnick, Professor, CMLLC Rachael Merritt, Undergrad Student, Astronomy Michele Valerie Ronnick is a Professor at in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Rachael Merritt is a Senior at Wayne State University. She will be graduating with Undergraduate degrees in Astronomy, Physics, and Classics in May 2015.

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

For more infomation about the Humanities Center, call (313) 577-5471 or visit www.research.wayne.edu/hum