George Mann Niedecken

George Mann Niedecken (August 16, 1878 – November 3, 1945) was an American prairie style furniture designer and interior architect from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is best known for his collaboration with the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He also designed interiors for Marion Mahony Griffin who was one of the first female architects.

George Mann Niedecken
George Mann Niedecken
Born(1878-08-16)August 16, 1878
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedNovember 3, 1945(1945-11-03) (aged 67)
Resting placeForest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee
EducationWisconsin Art Institute
Alma materArt Institute of Chicago
SpouseMary (née) Thayer

Early life

Niedecken was born August 16, 1878, in Milwaukee. At twelve years old he attended the Wisconsin Art Institute,[1] and he studied under artist Richard Lorenz.[2] When he was 19 he moved to Chicago and entered the Art Institute of Chicago. There he was instructed by Louis Millet. From 1899–1902 he studied art in Europe. In 1902 he returned to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he took a position teaching decorative arts at the Wisconsin School of Arts.[3] Niedecken married Mary (née) Thayer on October 2, 1905, and their only child died shortly after birth.[4]

Career
George Mann Niedecken Hall Chair Design 1907

Niedecken started an interior-architecture firm in 1907, called Niedecken-Waldbridge, with his brother-in-law in Milwaukee.[4] He became known for his work in Prairie style buildings.[3] He worked closely with the architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1902 and 1918).[5] Niedecken worked on eleven Wright commissions providing interior design with textiles, lighting, furniture and arts.[6] The relationship began in 1902 when he was commissioned by Wright to make a mural for the Dana–Thomas House.[5] He worked on the design for several Chicago area Wright commissions, including the Avery Coonley House, and the Frederick Robie House.[7][8] The collaboration ended in 1918 when Wright opened an office in Los Angeles, and Niedecken stayed in Milwaukee.[6] In 1999 Cheryl Robertson wrote a book about Niedecken's work with Wright, Frank Lloyd Wright and George Mann Niedecken : Prairie School collaborators.[9]

He also made interior design for Marion Mahony Griffin's commissions.[4] Mahony was a close associate of Frank Lloyd Wright along with Niedecken.[10] He designed furniture and murals for the Amberg and Irving houses which were Mahony commissions.[4] Mahony was one of the first licensed female architects in the world, and she is considered an original member of the Prairie School.[11]

In 1999 Wendy Moonan of The New York Times said, "Flea market aficionados take note: pieces by Niedecken are a new collecting category."[6] In 2007 he received a Wisconsin Visual Arts Lifetime Achievement Award.[12]

References
  1. "George Mann Niedecken Archives". Milwaukee Art Museum. Milwaukee Art Museum. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  2. Levy, Hannah Heidi (2004). Famous Wisconsin artists and architects. Oregon, WI: Badger Books. p. 254. ISBN 978-1932542127.
  3. Schrenk, Lisa Diane (2021). The Oak Park studio of Frank Lloyd Wright (1st ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 246. ISBN 978-0226318943. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  4. "George Mann Niedecken". Prairie Styles. Prairie Styles. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  5. Rodel, Kevin P. (2003). Arts & crafts furniture : from classic to contemporary. Newtown, CT: Taunton Press. p. 149. ISBN 978-1561583591. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  6. Moonan, Wendy (February 12, 1999). "Antiques; A Designer Who Drew Like Wright". New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  7. Kamin, Blair (October 22, 1995). "Class Projects". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  8. Jarman, Baird (2009). "A Revolutionary in Milwaukee: The Designs of George Mann Niedecken - Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, April 17-July 20, 2008". Design and Culture. 1 (3): 367–369. doi:10.1080/17547075.2009.11643296. ISSN 1754-7075. S2CID 152083143.
  9. Robertson, Cheryl (1999). Frank Lloyd Wright and George Mann Niedecken : Prairie School collaborators. Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Museum. pp. 8, 64. ISBN 978-1889541013.
  10. "The Oak Park Studio". Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  11. Allaback, Sarah (2008). The First American Women Architects. Illinois, USA: Urbana: University of Illinois Press. p. 87. ISBN 978-0252033216.
  12. "George Niedecken". Wisconsin Visual Art Achievement Awards. Wisconsin Visual Art Achievement Awards. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
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