Vienna
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1927, Palm Beach: The American Dream of a Set Designer Exhibition

Discover the architectural legacy of Joseph Urban, from his Viennese roots to American stage design success.

This exhibition examines the journey of architect and set designer Joseph Urban, who transitioned from Art Nouveau in Vienna to creating grand theatrical productions in the United States. It highlights his collaboration with Marjorie Merriweather Post on the design of the Mar-a-Lago estate. The display contextualizes his work within the influence of Austrian émigrés on 20th-century American culture.

About 1927, Palm Beach: The American Dream of a Set Designer at House of Austrian History in Vienna

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for 1927, Palm Beach: The American Dream of a Set Designer at House of Austrian History in Vienna

Exhibition summary

This online exhibition explores the life and career of Viennese architect Joseph Urban, the 'architect of dreams' who designed the extravagant Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. It examines his transition from Art Nouveau architecture in Vienna to creating elaborate stage designs for opera and Broadway in the United States.

Curatorial context

The online exhibition '1927, Palm Beach' chronicles the life and creative journey of Joseph Urban, a prominent Viennese architect and stage designer who became a celebrated figure in the United States. Often referred to as the 'architect of dreams,' Urban gained fame for his ability to blend structural elegance with the theatricality required for Broadway shows and grand operatic productions. At the heart of this exhibit is his 1927 commission for the wealthy American industrialist Marjorie Merriweather Post: the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The exhibition details the opulence of the project, including the 33 bathrooms equipped with gold-plated fixtures, and situates this architectural masterpiece within the broader history of Austrian émigrés who significantly influenced American cultural life in the early 20th century.

1927, Palm Beach: The American Dream of a Set Designer key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for 1927, Palm Beach: The American Dream of a Set Designer at House of Austrian History in Vienna

Venue
House of Austrian History
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
Information not currently available
Artist line / attribution
The exhibition focuses on the work of the architect and set designer Joseph Urban, commissioned by Marjorie Merriweather Post.
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