An overabundance of mediocre to just plain bad decorative painting has somewhat soured the design profession and the general public to a great degree. But special painting, ranging from simple glazing to
trompe l'oeil, can provide a layer of interest in a very personal and unique way. In this example by the late Robert Jackson, the artist incorporated a variety of techniques to decorate the walls of a dining room of an architectural project of mine in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, decorated by Bunny Williams. Robert took my design for pilasters that provided the framework for a new bay window in this room and a new breakfast room adjacent, and gave a decorative rhythmic layout to the otherwise plain dining room. While the lower panels are consistent in design as a
trompe l'oeil panel with vines of morning glories, the upper panels are each a different romantic landscape view. The overall effect, like the rest of the house, is one of charming sophistication. There is a formality without stiffness, a trademark of Mr Jackson's work. For eight years in the 1950s, Mr Jackson developed his technique in England working for the legendary Oliver Messel and John Siddeley. Robert Jackson enjoyed a long career of decorative painting, usually commissioned by noted New York City designers who appreciated his versatility and his knowledge of various styles and periods, especially 17th and 18th century French and Italian paintings.
I have been fortunate to have had several phases of architectural design work to improve this stone Georgian Revival style house from the 1930s on a lovely site on a private road out the Main Line from Philadelphia. (And I have been even more fortunate to have helped with additional residences for this couple as well, all beautifully decorated by Bunny). This is the clients' primary home and my association was made even more a pleasure because both the husband and the wife were so involved and interested in the project, a situation that is not always the case. Working on this wonderful house with Bunny, Robert, and fabulous clients was a treat for the devoted classicist.
The photo by Tom Leigton appears in the book
Modern Murals, Grand Illusions in Interior Decoration by Caroline Cass, published by Whitney Library of Design.
