2012 Day Trip: Oregon, Illinois / Oregon Public Library

Oregon Public Library

The Oregon Public Library houses a small collection of artworks by members of the Eagle’s Nest Art Colony. The artists donated several dozen paintings and sculptures to this local library.These are on display in a small second floor gallery.

The Eagle’s Nest Art Colony was founded in 1898 by American sculptor Lorado Taft on the bluffs flanking the east bank of the Rock River, overlooking Oregon, Illinois. It was populated by Chicago artists, members of the Chicago Art Institute, and the University of Chicago art department, who gathered in Ogle County to escape the summer heat of Chicago. However, since 1951, the colony complex has been used as a field campus for Northern Illinois University since 66 acres of Lowden State Park were turned over to the university by the state of Illinois.

Two of the charter members of the art colony were Chicago architects, Allen and Irving Pond, designed the Oregon Public Library, a Carnegie library building, heavily influenced by the presence of the art colony. It was the Ponds’ association with the Eagle’s Nest Art Colony that led them to design the library. Even before the library was built, members of the Eagle’s Nest Art Colony were pushing for the new building to include a second-story art gallery. The second floor art gallery on the second floor of the library building was not formally dedicated until July 4, 1918. This marked the beginning of the library’s permanent collection, which started with additions from members of the Eagle’s Nest Colony.

Oregon Public Library

The building was built by Chicago architectural firm of Pond and Pond, and has characteristics of Arts and Crafts Movement. The Oregon Public Library was added to the US National Register of Historic Places on May 9, 2003. The second floor of the lirary building has a gallery with artworks by members of the Eagle’s Nest Colony.

Oregon Public Library

Maquette for “Blind ” – by Lorado Taft

This is one of Taft’s most impressive symbolic sculptures. It was inspired by Maeterlinck’s tragic drama, “The Blind”. The piece portrays the moment when the group realizes that the baby in the middle can see and lead the group to safety.

American Indian – by Lorado Taft

American Indian – by Lorado Taft
Working model for Taft’s 50-foot sculpture”The Eternal Indian”.

Aspiration – by Lorado Taft

“Aspiration” – by Lorado Taft.
said to be Taft’s final statue.
Photographs of the studio at the time of the artist’s death shows this sculpture.

Baby Marguerite – by Leonard Crunelle

Baby Marguerite – by Leonard Crunelle
Bronze cast from original, which was in marble.
Lenonard Crunelle, another of my favourite Chicago sculptors, was doscovered by Lorado Taft. This piece portray’s Crunelle’s baby daughter.