In the early 20th century, Cincinnati needed a major terminal — seven railroads served the city at five different stations. Forty-one million dollars of private money (no public money) went into the new establishment, including the cost of Reiss' murals. The choice of an Art Deco style for the building and its decoration, characteristically for this conservative city, was made for economic reasons, but has proved to be the most interesting aspect of the project. Reiss, by insisting on working in the long-lasting glass mosaic form, increased his own costs to the point of incurring financial loss.
This is a brisk book, bringing together much interesting information on the art and the making of the murals, on the terminal and on the artist himself. A specific section puts the works into the context of their times.
Unfortunately, there is a superfluity of footnotes for a publication pointed to the interested general reader. Relevant material should have been incorporated in the text, or made available through the list of reference works.
Generous illustrations in full color contribute to the strength of this book, pointing up Reiss’ skills at portraiture and making apparent his interest in and enthusiasm for the world of the American Indian. The German-born artist was in his late 20s when he immigrated to the United States in 1913 with his wife and young son. He became an American citizen and a tireless advocate of the American Indian culture.
WINOLD REISS AND THE CINCINNATI UNION TERMINAL is published by Ohio University Press in paperback ($26.95) and hardcover ($49.95). Purchase it at amazon.com.
