THE RED HEART
OF PENN’S HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
Philadelphia’s buildings are rich with history and visual detail that make them a joy for this architecture nerd to photograph. Perhaps my favorite among them is the Fisher Fine Arts Library at the University of Pennsylvania. Its bright red terra cotta exterior stands out on campus, no matter the hour, weather, or season.
There’s no place like home. I’ve photographed buildings around the world, but Philadelphia’s Fisher Fine Arts Library remains a longtime favorite.The reading room’s bright lights are a beacon in winter evenings.
Over 130 years after its completion, the Fisher Fine Arts Library remains a standout example of Victorian architecture at its finest. Though it stopped being Penn’s primary campus library in the 1960s and was even slated for demolition at one point, the building was ultimately designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985 and restored in 1991. Today, it continues to house Penn’s art history and architecture collections, as well as studio and gallery space.
Literary sayings are the perfect decorative touch for a library’s windows.Peoples, places, passions, pursuits… and photographs by yours truly!With no leaves on the trees in winter, a wider view can be seen.Some three dozen of my photographs were featured in People, Places, Passions, Pursuits: A Penn Portrait, including front and back cover shots of the Fisher Fine Arts Library. This photo essay book celebrates Penn’s campus, culture, and traditions, and I enjoyed seeing my enthusiasm for these buildings in print.
Bright daytime sun highlights the texture and massing of the library’s exterior.