Pfistster Cherubs

I know my last post promised more trail scenes, but yesterday I got caught up in a day out and about, mostly in Milwaukee.  It was foggy and then rainy all day, but I brought the camera along anyway and took some more architecture shots to work with my new camera some more.

In the lobby of the Pfister Hotel the ceiling is decorated with a beautiful mural.  Think it's always been there?  It was added as part of the Pfister's centennial celebration in 1983.

From the Conrad Schmitt Studios' website:
In 1893, the original lobby ceiling was an open skylight until architects added a roof enclosure in the late 1930s. The once lively vaulted skylight was over-painted with layers of non-historic solid-tones and surrounded by white ceiling panels. This lackluster decorative approach greatly diminished the lobby's inherent sense of welcoming. Guido Pfister intended the hotel to be a place of splendor and comfort. The impressive columns, figured hardwoods, ornamental plaster highlighted with gold leafing, etched glass, lavishly patterned carpet, oil paintings and treasured artworks create an atmosphere of Victorian luxury for everyone to experience. What the CSS team found in the Pfister Hotel lobby was dirty, tired, and in need of rebirth. 
Within the lobby, the ceiling was thoroughly cleaned and primed, while sketches and stencils were created and approved. CSS muralists painted directly onto the vaulted ceiling, highlighting with hand-painted gold leaf. The soft, sky-blue scene of ethnically diverse cherubs alighting through subtle clouds framed with 26 warm, red shields, recalls the lobby's original skylight. Central to the overall presentation of the ornate main lobby, the mural creates a sense of breathing room. 

The Pfister has an extensive Victorian art collection which can be viewed online here.  Linking up to Monday Mural.  

It rained most of Saturday and all of Sunday here which finally brought green to our corner of the world!  Snow in the forecast today, just to even things out.  Trail scenes tomorrow!