Art Analysis Assignment
This is The Elms mansion located in Newport, Rhode Island. This awe inspiring piece of architecture is based off of the chateau d’Asnieres located just outside of Paris. The architect of this particular mansion was Horace Trumbauer and he managed to create the most technologically advanced mansion Newport during the Gilded age. Construction was finished in 1901 and the mansion was practically the smart home of its time with amenities such as iceboxes, refrigeration, electric lighting, and heating. It cost an estimated $1.4 million to build.
I have personally visited this mansion twice and it remains one of my favorite pieces of American architecture. I took a servants tour of the mansion this past winter break and I learned a lot about how the technology was built into this house while maintaining the look and feel of an 18th century french chateau an incredible challenge and feat.
The use of repetition is very prevalent in this house and can be found with the window structures and even the ceiling paneling. This mansion is also quite symmetrical as well which is very pleasing to the eye and really brings satisfaction to the viewer.
I absolutely adore this mansion and would own it in a heartbeat if I had the money and staff to run it. It is my dream to one day own a house that is inspired by the mansions of Newport.
I did learn quite a bit of information while taking an in person tour of the mansion.
Citations
CC inspire, llc. “The Elms.” Newport Mansions, http://www.newportmansions.org/explore/the-elms.
“The Elms.” Newport, RI 02840, http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/listing/the-elms/376/.
Phoenix's Art 200x Blog 
7 replies on “The Elms Mansion”
The Elms Mansion is truly awe inspiring. I would love to be able to go and tour it. Everything about the building, furnishings and landscaping speaks of elegance.
You are right about the symmetry of the mansion. It starts as you are approaching the mansion with the hedges, the entrance way, windows, and the wings of the building. Amazing how it all ties together and still looks after all these years.
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Hey Pheonix!
I love that you posted about this!! I have been there myself a few times as I grew up in southern MA which is very close to Rhode Island. It is an absolutely beautiful place. The serenity there is absolutely memorizing.
I don’t think that I would have even really noticed that the symmetry starts in the front with the bushes! I had always just been stuck on the beauty of the building itself and never really looked at the shrubbery and bushes in the foreground.
I cannot wait to go back and view this gorgeous place again with my husband and be able to show him the absolutely stunning places that I had the privilege of growing up near.
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I really enjoyed your post. I received my associate’s degree in computer-assisted drafting. I enjoyed the lines of the building and structure in general. It was wonderful to see the colors and the French style. In drafting, we rarely see the colors that are finally used. Each room looks like a work of art.
Victor
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Great post, I never really thought about how mansions in their own right can be made into beautiful works of art. Also can’t deny bit jealous you got to see this in person. It seems like it would be something really cool to go around and explore.
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I love architecture from that era, it shows that there was passion and skill. The various techniques to make the mansion stand out with its symmetry, coloring and flora decorations bring the Elms Mansion to life, each room and location you have pictured has its own character. I would love to visit this masterpiece of a building! I can only imagine what it would be like to live in such a place.
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Hey Phoenix!
I have to agree with you, the architecture of this mansion is absolutely beautiful. I can see why you went back for yet another tour.
The repetition in the outside image you included above is mesmerizing and definitely catches the eye. I might be wrong but the colors all throughout the rooms in the house appear to be different, I’m sure that was meant to bring each room a different feel.
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That mansion really reminds me of the mansion that was in “What A Girl Wants”! And I do agree with you, I would live there or someplace similar is I had the funds to live in it. It’s such a beautiful place!!
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