A Movie Star's Lair?
A vintage photograph of an elegant example of Spanish Colonial Revival domestic architecture, which was all the rage during the 1920s Southern California construction boom. The compact two-story design of the home suggests that it was likely situated in the Hollywood Hills, or a similar area where steep terrain and scarcity of level ground necessitated creative architectural approaches. The design evokes such well-known examples as Rudolph Valentino's Bel Air home, Falcon Lair, incorporating wood-framed casement windows, exaggerated tile work, minimal but tasteful wrought-iron work, and a prominent red-tile roof. The image comes accompanied by its original glass plate negative.
The Spanish Colonial Revival movement emerged as a distinctive architectural trend in Southern California during the early 20th century. It was characterized by design elements drawn from Spanish colonial buildings that had been erected in the Americas from the 16th to the 19th centuries. This style was characterized by smooth stucco walls, low-pitched red tile roofs, and an emphasis on outdoor spaces with features such as courtyards and patios. The Spanish Colonial Revival style was especially popular among the upper classes, and the Hollywood Hills, provided a fitting backdrop for these opulent homes.
The photograph captures an era of significant architectural transition in Southern California. The 1920s were a time of rapid development in the region, fueled by the burgeoning film industry and the arrival of new residents drawn by the promise of fame, fortune, and a temperate climate. Amidst this flurry of activity, the Spanish Colonial Revival style emerged as a nod to the area's Spanish colonial heritage and a reflection of the romanticized ideal of Southern California living. The image presents a moment frozen in time, revealing the architectural preferences and social aspirations of a rapidly growing community.
The inclusion of the glass plate negative adds an additional layer of interest to this item. Glass plate negatives were commonly used in photography from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century, offering a level of detail and clarity that was unmatched by other photographic methods of the time. The use of a glass plate negative for this photograph suggests that it was likely taken by a professional photographer, highlighting the importance placed on architectural documentation during this period of intense development.
Provenance:
The photograh and glass plate negative are housed in a circa 1920s cardboard mailing envelope addressed to Irvine E. Stewart, a prominent petroleum geologist and oil industry figure who did field work in Wyoming and Montana but made his home in Glendale, California. Directories from the time list Stewart as living at 1616 Parkridge Dr. in Glendale, but the home located at that address, though of a similar Spanish Colonial style, is not the same house depicted in our photograph.