Edificio La Isla de Cuba

Lucas García Cardona
1895



This unusual eclectic building combines metal architectural elements (the dark Corinthian columns on the ground level and the Ionic ones punctuating the upper facade), miradors with elaborate stone carving and metal decoration, and tile designs, both figurative as well as motifs more commonly found in Greek vase painting. It glories in variety--in materials, fenestration, style, and color--while at the same time it occupies a position like the most modern of flatiron building. See Art Nouveau in Brussels for a similar use of metal, stone, ceramics, wood, and other materials. The building was commissioned by Josefa D. Sancho and for some years was a retail establishment for the textile business of the Campoy brothers; the business only lasted until 1911, however.

 

Topmost frieze--Greek vase painting motifs; and figures, all bacchantes (votaries of Bacchus) but some calmly dancing while others more frenzied

Here one has a double flute while the other carries the thyrsis.
 

Round mezzanine windows with beautiful grill work and decorative carved moldings

 
 
 

Tile background design with an overall pattern of palmettes, more typically in a frieze design in Greek art








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© 2014 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.