Ruth Soller Gallery

Queen Anne Victorian houses were popular from 1880 through 1910. Identifying features of these homes may include steeply pitched roofs with a dominant front-facing gable, textured shingles used as decorative devices, and asymmetrical porches along one or two sides. Decorative detailing further distinguishes Queen Anne styles and varies greatly from one home to another. Delicate spindlework in porch balustrades or as a frieze suspended from porch ceilings may also be used in gables or over bay windows. Lacy, decorative spandrels and knob-like beads are sometimes called gingerbread ornamentation. Classical columns may be used as porch supports. Columns may be full height of porch or may rise from the porch railing. Sometimes columns are grouped by twos or threes. Decorative half-timbering may be used on gables. Masonry walls with patterned brickwork, stonework or terra-cotta panel inserts were used more often in large cities such as New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Queen Anne houses often include round or polygonal towers, which may rise from the ground floor or be cantilevered out from the second level.

When I first spotted the Zang Brewmeister Mansion off Interstate 25 in downtown Denver, I visualized Edward Hopper’s House by the Railroad. The house was designed by William Quayle in the late 1800’s in the Victorian Queen Anne style for George Schmidt, brewmaster for Zang Brewery. The house has been on the National Historic Register since1976. The two-story red brick house has rusticated stone foundation, an ornately carved oak interior stairway with a large arched stained glass window, hard-grained woodwork and doors, carved mantels, and built-in cabinets throughout. This mansion is the subject of both paintings shown above.

Dibrell Home, Watercolor, 21x29, Nobel/Gay Home, Watercolor, 14x21, Private Collection Private Collection

The Dibrell House was built in 1892 by H.A. Bowman in Little Rock, Arkansas, and purchased by Dr. And Mrs. James. A. Dibrell, Jr. This home is a notable example of Queen Anne style, particularly since being restored to its original elegance both inside and out in the 1970’s by its current owner. This home features a three story square tower set into the north front corner at a 45 degree angle. It has multiple porches including a recessed porch on the second floor. Decorative details include Palladian windows, half-timbering on gables, decorative brickwork and terra cotta inserts, and spindlework around porches. The owner of the Dibrell home commissioned the painting shown above left. The Noble-Gay House sits majestically atop a hill overlooking downtown Montgomery, Alabama. This home was built around 1900 by businessman Charles Gay and is listed on the National Register of Historic places. It features multiple gabled roofs, Palladian windows, a wrap around porch with an octagonal extension, and beveled glass sections in a second floor bay window. This was one of the first home portraits I painted; the owners of the home loved the painting and purchased it, shown above right.

Why not say “I love you” to your sweetheart with a unique gift of original artwork? It is easy to commission a portrait of your loved one or a rendering of your home. Call Ruth at 303-469-2072 or email SollerOriginals@juno.com to discuss details. Visit www.SollerOriginals.com to view additional paintings available from the artist.

This is the February issue of Soller Originals Newsletter. All Images are strictly protected by copyright of the artist, Ruth Soller. Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to any friends and neighbors who may be interested and ask them to send their email address to SollerOriginals@juno.com in order to subscribe. If you do not wish to receive this mailing, let me know and I will remove you from the list.

Ruth Soller

3307 Columbine Ct

Broomfield, CO 80020

303-469-2072

SollerOriginals@Juno.com