The Finger Lakes region, renowned for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, serves as a unique gateway to the architectural genius of Frank Lloyd Wright.
While Wright’s influence can be seen in Rochester’s Edward E. Boynton House, it is his iconic Tree of Life stained-glass window that provides a deeper connection to his masterpiece, the Darwin D. Martin House in Buffalo, New York.
As a 16-year-old with a strong penchant for anti-authoritarianism, I first encountered Frank Lloyd Wright through the character of Howard Roark in Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead. Roark, an architect whose uncompromising vision of design and individualism echoed Wright’s own philosophy, captivated me.
The themes of artistic integrity, rejection of conformity, and the pursuit of one’s ideals struck a profound chord with me, and I found myself embracing these values as I struggled to define my place in the world.
Little did I know, years later, I would stand before Wright’s architectural genius at the Darwin D. Martin House, experiencing firsthand the very brilliance that had so inspired my teenage self.
The Tree of Life: Symbolism in Design
The Tree of Life window is arguably Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous stained-glass design. Wright distills the tree into its most elemental, geometric form: squares for the roots, straight lines for the trunk, and chevrons for the branches. Leaves are suggested by gold, red, and green glass pieces, creating a vibrant, organic composition.
Wright considered windows to be more than mere decorative elements—they were tools to control the quality and play of light within a room. In the Tree of Life window, each glass piece is set at a slightly different angle within the brass frame, enhancing the light’s reflection in a way that mimics the movement of leaves in the wind.
This delicate balance between nature and light exemplifies Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture, where every element, no matter how small, is in harmony with its surroundings.
The Tree of Life is an ancient symbol, representing growth, connection, and renewal across many cultures. Wright’s interpretation of this timeless motif brings a modern, geometric twist that remains strikingly relevant today.
From the Finger Lakes to Buffalo: A Journey of Art and Architecture
A visit to the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University offers an opportunity to admire the Tree of Life window, showcasing Wright’s unparalleled craftsmanship.
The museum’s collection highlights Wright’s ability to merge natural motifs with architectural precision, linking the Finger Lakes’ artistic spirit to his visionary approach to design.
A short trip west to Buffalo brings you to the Darwin D. Martin House, where the Tree of Life windows remain in their original setting. The Martin House Complex includes 394 pieces of art glass crafted by the Linden Glass Company, further illustrating Wright’s mastery of light, form, and space.
From the pergola to the conservatory, the Martin House blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, creating a seamless harmony between human ingenuity and the natural world.
The Darwin D. Martin House Complex
The Tree of Life window was originally designed for the home of Darwin D. Martin, an executive with the Larkin Soap Company in Buffalo. Martin became a millionaire by 1902, the same year he commissioned Wright to design a residence for his family.
The resulting Darwin D. Martin House Complex includes several notable buildings:
- The George Barton House (1903), built for Martin’s sister and brother-in-law
- The Darwin D. Martin House (1904–1905)
- A conservatory and pergola (1903–1905; the carriage house, demolished in 1962, was reconstructed in 2004–2007)
- The gardener’s cottage (1909)
The entire complex features a low, horizontal silhouette that epitomizes Wright’s Prairie Style, reflecting the expansive, flat vistas of the American Midwest. The surrounding landscape, designed by Walter Burley Griffin, Wright’s studio superintendent, further complements the architectural vision.
Preserving Wright’s Vision
Though the Martin House faced years of neglect and alteration, significant restoration efforts have brought it back to its former glory. Many of Wright’s original furnishings and decorations were removed in the mid-20th century, and several renovations in the 1960s caused further losses to the design.
Thanks to the dedication of the Martin House Restoration Corporation, the home’s intricate details — including the art glass windows — have been carefully restored to reflect Wright’s vision.
Plan Your Visit
Your journey begins in Ithaca at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum, where the Tree of Life window offers a stunning glimpse into Wright’s genius. From there, head west to Buffalo to experience the full grandeur of the Darwin D. Martin House, a National Historic Landmark and one of the finest examples of Prairie Style architecture.
From the Finger Lakes to Buffalo, Frank Lloyd Wright’s artistry bridges the gap between design and the natural world, offering a timeless reminder of the profound connection between architecture, art, and life.
Photos: Above, seven Tree of Life windows at the Martin House, and below, a detail of a tree of life window.
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