“City of Tiles: New York From Subway Stations to the Tops of Skyscrapers”

Ceramic tiles of all kinds have been widely used to decorate buildings, both inside and out, in New York from the 19th century to the present day.  Following a brief survey of ornamental tilework in European and American architecture, we will focus on New York and survey the architectural uses of ceramics from Grueby, Rookwood, Mercer, and other producers in a lavishly illustrated lecture that will show just how much ceramic decoration there is, from subway stations to the tops of skyscrapers.

Francis Morrone is an architectural historian and a writer and the author of thirteen books, including Guide to New York City Urban Landscapes (W.W. Norton, 2013). With Henry Hope Reed, he wrote The New York Public Library: The Architecture and Decoration of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (W.W. Norton, 2011), as well as architectural guidebooks to Brooklyn and to Philadelphia. He is the recipient of the Arthur Ross Award of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, the Landmarks Lion Award of the Historic Districts Council, and New York University’s Excellence in Teaching Award. He is a popular lecturer and leader of walking tours in New York and Europe and was named by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the thirteen best tour guides in the world.  

Image: 139 East 19th Street, New York, New York