The Denver Art Museum (DAM) is one of the most visited museums in Colorado and is home to more than 70,000 works of art from around the world. The museum has been open since 1893 and is one of the oldest art collections in the United States. DAM has seen many changes throughout its history, including several major renovations and expansions, but who was the architect behind this impressive structure?
The original Denver Art Museum building was designed by Chicago-based architect William E. Fisher in 1893. Fisher was born in 1856 and began his career as an apprentice for famed architect Henry Hobson Richardson before eventually setting up shop on his own.
His impressive portfolio included designs for a variety of buildings including churches, libraries, banks, homes, and more. He had a special interest in museum design and was involved in designing several notable institutions such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum in Chicago, and several other museums across the country.
Fisher’s design for DAM featured two main buildings that were connected by a large courtyard. The first building contained galleries dedicated to European art while the second housed an extensive collection of Native American artifacts.
The courtyard was filled with sculptures and fountains that added to the beauty of the structure. In addition to these two buildings, Fisher also designed a smaller building which held administrative offices as well as classrooms for educational programs offered by DAM.
Over time, Fisher’s original designs have been modified or expanded upon by other architects such as Gio Ponti who designed an addition to DAM in 1971 that featured his signature style of curved walls made from glass blocks; Fentress Architects who designed an iconic titanium-clad building addition in 2006; Richard Farley who designed another addition dedicated to Asian art; and David Adjaye who designed a renovation project completed in 2020 that included a new atrium space for visitor arrivals.
Despite all these changes throughout its history, it is clear that William E. Fisher remains as one of DAM’s most influential architects due to his significant contributions to its original designs back in 1893. His work set the foundation for future generations of architects and helped shape what today’s Denver Art Museum looks like today.
Conclusion:
William E. Fisher was the architect behind Denver Art Museum’s original designs back in 1893. His work set a foundation for future generations of architects working on expansions or renovations at DAM over time, making him one of its most influential figures.