Chicago Architectural Illustration Appraisal

Mid-Century Chicago Wrigley Building Illustration by John Hayms

This is a vintage architectural illustration depicting the iconic Wrigley Building in Chicago, viewed from a high-angle perspective. The artwork is executed on a tan or buff-colored medium-weight paper using a mixed media approach of black ink, grey wash, and white gouache highlights. The style is characteristic of mid-century commercial illustration, utilizing energetic, gestural lines and a 'scumbled' application of tones to create atmospheric depth and motion within the cityscape. The Wrigley Building's clock tower serves as the central focal point, rendered with significant detail compared to the more abstracted surrounding skyscrapers and the DuSable Bridge area. The piece is signed 'John Hayms' in the lower right corner and features the word 'Chicago' in stylized script in the lower left. In terms of condition, there is visible edge wear including some small tears and creasing primarily along the bottom and left margins. The paper shows mild toning consistent with age, likely dating from the 1950s or 1960s. The composition captures the dynamic urban growth of the era with high technical proficiency, though the absence of a frame suggests it has been stored as a loose sheet, leading to the minor peripheral damage noted.