Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House (3 of 3)

Summary

The Farnsworth House, a masterpiece by architect Mies van der Rohe, faced a pivotal moment when Sotheby's listed it for auction, touting its portability. Preservationists, including art collectors and Chicago businessmen, rallied against the sale, viewing it as cultural theft. With only eight weeks to raise funds, they managed to secure the necessary amount in a dramatic auction, where Chicago art dealer Richard Gray played a pivotal role. The house, now a National Historic Landmark, stands as a testament to modernist architecture, drawing visitors from around the world to experience its architectural significance.

Takeaways

• 🏠 Sotheby's marketed the Farnsworth House's portability as a selling point, showcasing a 3D animation of the house being dismantled and moved.
• 🚫 The idea of moving the Farnsworth House out of Illinois was met with resistance, as it was seen as culturally insensitive and would lose its architectural significance.
• 💼 Two main groups emerged to save the house: art collectors and dealers, and Chicago businessmen who viewed the potential move as 'cultural theft'.
• 💵 A fierce fundraising campaign was launched with a tight deadline, aiming to raise enough money to purchase the house and keep it in its original location.
• 🕒 The preservationists were in a race against time, with only eight weeks to gather the funds needed to outbid potential buyers at the auction.
• 📈 The campaign saw a surge in donations, especially in the final hours before the auction, with key donors being convinced to contribute significantly.
• 🔨 The auction was intense, with bidding escalating quickly, and the preservationists reaching their funding limit at $6.6 million.
• 🎉 In a dramatic turn, Chicago art dealer Richard Gray continued bidding beyond the group's limit, using his own money to secure the house for $6.7 million.
• 🏛️ The Farnsworth House is now a national treasure, owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and managed by Landmarks Illinois, open to the public as a museum.
• 🌐 The house's preservation is seen as a success story, attracting visitors from around the world to experience its architectural significance and beauty.

Q & A

What was the main selling point highlighted by Sotheby's for the Farnsworth House?

Sotheby's highlighted the portability of the Farnsworth House as a selling point, showcasing a 3D animation of the home being dismantled and moved.

Why was the idea of moving the Farnsworth House controversial?

The idea was controversial because it was seen as culturally insensitive and potentially destructive to the architectural integrity of the house, which was designed with specific site conditions in mind, such as being on stilts to avoid flooding.

Who were the two groups that came to the rescue of the Farnsworth House?

The two groups were art collectors, art dealers, and people in the architectural world with significant financial resources, and a group of businessmen in Chicago who viewed the potential move as cultural theft.

What is meant by 'cultural theft' in the context of the Farnsworth House?

Cultural theft refers to the perception by Chicago civic groups that outsiders, particularly New Yorkers, were attempting to take away a culturally significant piece of architecture that belonged to Chicago.

How much time did the preservationists have to raise funds to purchase the Farnsworth House?

The preservationists had eight weeks to raise the funds necessary to purchase the Farnsworth House.

What was the final bid that secured the Farnsworth House for the preservationists?

The final bid that secured the Farnsworth House was six million seven hundred thousand dollars.

Who was the art dealer that played a significant role in the auction on behalf of the preservationists?

Renowned Chicago art dealer Richard Gray was the one who bid on behalf of the preservationists.

What was the emotional impact of winning the auction for the preservationists?

The preservationists experienced elation and a sense of immense accomplishment, with one board member suggesting that the experience was the pinnacle of their efforts and could not be bettered.

What is the current status of the Farnsworth House in terms of ownership and operation?

The Farnsworth House is now owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is operated and managed by Landmarks Illinois.

How is the Farnsworth House recognized in terms of historical and architectural significance?

The Farnsworth House has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, designated a National Historic Landmark, and is seen as an important piece of architecture and a national treasure.

What is the value of having the Farnsworth House open to the public as a museum?

Having the Farnsworth House open as a museum allows people from around the world to experience and understand the principles of modernism and the architectural philosophy distilled in the design of the house.