historically important 1954 original chicago institute of design louis sullivan exhibit silver gelatin print of the getty tomb

original richard nickel mounted silver gelatin print displayed at the 1954 chicago institute of design exhibit held in the old chicago historical society building designed by henry ives cobb in 1893. the image features adler and sullivan's bedford limestone getty tomb located in chicago's graceland cemetry. the backside contains placement number, stamp, and label with identification. 

over the span of three years, siskind and his students photographed several commercial and residential structures (including commissions outside of chicago) - many of which had been long-forgotten, neglected, abandoned and faced with demolition at a time when urban renewal or “slum clearance” was in full swing. 

the sullivan photography project resulted in the documentation of many works by adler and sullivan that had been previously overlooked. in 1954, siskind compiled 126 works from the project, illustrating thirty-five sullivan buildings for the exhibition louis h. sullivan, held at the institute of design - then located in the former chicago historical society building designed by henry ives cobb in 1892.