Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945

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Paul Philippe Cret (1876-1945) was born in Lyon, France. École des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1903. Professor, University of Pennsylvania, and architect in Philadelphia, 1903-1937. Major works include Indianapolis Public Library, 1914-1917; Delaware River Bridge, Philadelphia, 1920-1926; Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, 1928-1932; Federal Reserve Board Building, Washington, 1935-1937.

From the description of Pan American Union Building, Washington, D.C. : presentation, development and working drawings, 1907-1950. (Centre canadien d'architecture). WorldCat record id: 310220037

From the description of Pan American Union Building, Washington, D.C. : presentation, development and working drawings, 1907-1950. (Centre canadien d'architecture). WorldCat record id: 122348721

Cret was a French-born architect of the Beaux-Arts school who practiced primarily in the United States, with an office in Philadelphia. He was also a professor of architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. He became a U.S. citizen in 1927.

From the description of Papers, 1865-1976. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 216748743

Architect, artist.

From the description of Paul Philippe Cret architectural drawings, circa 1901-1936. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 505719892

In July 1919, the Detroit City Charter established the Detroit Institute of Arts as a municipal department to be administered by a four-member Arts Commission. As one of its first priorities, the Arts Commission took up the task of planning a new museum on a previously acquired property on Woodward Avenue. Paul Philippe Cret (1876-1945), a Philadelphia architect, was appointed consulting architect in November 1919 and architect in 1921. A native of Lyons, France, Cret was trained at the prestigious Ecole des Beaux Arts and Atelier Pascal in Paris. His major works before the Institute project, the Pan American Union Building in Washington, D.C. and the Indianapolis Public Library, had launched his career as a major architect in the United States. At the time of his appointment as museum architect, Cret became associated with the firm of Zantzinger, Borie and Medary, though he remained the primary designer of the museum building. Before proceeding to preliminary drawings, Cret studied the literature and analyzed museum functions in terms of planning and design. A Preliminary Report on Plans For The New Museum was submitted to the Arts Commission on January 20, 1920 followed by a second Report on Plans (which accompanied the presentation of drawings). Ground was broken on the Institute project on June 22, 1922, and construction continued for approximately five years. The building was dedicated and opened to the public on October 7, 1927. In recognition of the excellence of his work, Cret was awarded the Medal of Honor of The Architectural League of New York (1928) for The Detroit Institute of Arts.

From the description of The building/Paul Philippe Cret records, 1919-1931 (predominantly 1919-1921). 1919-1931. (Detroit Institute of Arts Research Library & Archives). WorldCat record id: 422759839

Paul Phillippe Cret was born in Lyons, France on October 23, 1876, and educated at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Lyons and Paris. He came to the U.S. in the early 1900s, and enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a ScD. in 1913. He continued his education and received an M.A. from Brown University in 1929 and a Doctor of Arts from Harvard in 1940. He served as a professor of design at the University of Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1937 and, through the firm he also headed, was responsible for the design of many prestigious buildings throughout the U.S. and the world. He died in Philadelphia on September 8, 1945.

From the guide to the Paul Philippe Cret drawings, 120, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Northwest Architectural Archives, Manuscripts Division [naa])

Architect; Philadelphia, Pa. Born in France. Architect of Folger Shakespeare Library, Detroit Institute of Arts.

From the description of Paul Philippe Cret papers, 1919-1931. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122515415

Cret was born in Lyons, France, and educated at the École des Beaux-Arts, in Lyons and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He cam to the U.S. some time afterward, and earned an ScD. at the University of Pennsylvania (1913), an M.A. from Brown University (1929), and a Dr.Arts from Harvard (1940). He served as a professor of design at the University of Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1937 while heading a firm which was responsible for the design of many important buildings throughout the U.S. and the world.

From the description of Paul Philippe Cret collection : drawings, 1920. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 63300542

Born in Lyon, France in 1876, Paul Cret attended the Ecole Des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1897-1903. Upon graduation, he accepted a teaching position at the University of Pennsylvania where he taught until retiring in 1937. During his tenure as a professor in design, the architectural program enjoyed a nationwide reputation for excellence.

Cret established a successful practice in Philadelphia specializing in the design of public buildings. His firm was particularly adept at garnering commissions through architectural competitions. Among such commissions were the Pan-American Union Building (1907-1917) in Washington, DC and the Indianapolis Public Library (1914-1917). His designs represent the height of the Beaux-Arts movement in the United States, characterized by the symmetrical, axially disposed plans with elevations articulated by historicist detailing derived from antiquity and the Renaissance. This style was found appropriate to monumental public buildings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cret was a master with Beaux-Arts principles of design, but his true genius was in his ability to synthesize this style with the new modernist values.

Cret's most productive years were between 1919-1930. He received commissions for war memorials and bridges, such as the Delaware River Bridge (1920-1926). In 1928 he joined the planning commission for Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition of 1933. It was the public buildings, most notably the Detroit Institute of Arts (1919-1927) with its innovative galleries designed in styles appropriate to the art on display that established Cret as one of America's foremost architects.

In 1930, Cret was retained by the University of Texas as consulting architect for the development of a master plan for the Austin campus. By 1931 the creation of the Permanent University Fund, based on oil income for state lands allowed the University to begin construction on the buildings that were, up to that time, ideas on paper. During the next fifteen years, Cret continued his comprehensive building design for the University of Texas' Austin campus. Cret died in 1945, but his firm, which changed its name to Harbeson, Hough, Livingston and Larson, continued his work, focusing on the completion of the buildings facing the south mall. The firm is known today as H2L2 Architects/Planners.

-Lila Knight

From the guide to the Paul Philippe Cret Drawings (University of Texas at Austin campus), Photographic Material, and Papers Accession number(s): 1982007, 1984010, 1985009, 1986018, 1986022, 2000027, 2000035, 2001007., 1930-1957, (Alexander Architectural Archive, The University of Texas at Austin.)

Paul Cret was born in Lyon, France and studied at the Ecole nationale des Beaux-Arts de Lyon and at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris. In 1903, the School of Fine Arts of the University of Pennsylvania offered him the position of Professor of Design. He was the dominant force in architectural education there until is retirement in 1937, and he had a profound impact on an entire generation of American architects. He employed many of his students in his own firm, and four of his students (John F. Harbeson, William J.H. Hough, William Henry Livingston, Sr., and Roy Frank Larson) became full partners. They continued the firm on Cret's death as Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson, later known as H2L2.

Cret had an important national practice and designed major museums, libraries, government buildings, academic buildings, monuments, bridges, and city and campus plans. In and near Philadelphia, he designed the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Washington Memorial Arch at Valley Forge, the Barnes Foundation, the Rodin Museum, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and the Federal Reserve Bank among other buildings, monuments, bridges, and planning projects. Major projects beyond Philadelphia include the Pan American Union (Washington, DC), Indianapolis Public Library, Detroit Museum of Arts, Folger Shakespeare Library (Washington, DC), Federal Reserve Board Building (Washington, DC), University of Texas at Austin, and monuments in Europe for the American Battle Monuments Commission and the Pennsylvania Battle Monuments Commission.

From the description of Paul Philippe Cret architectural records, 1823-1945 (bulk 1896-1945). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83110522

Paul Cret was born in Lyon, France and studied at the Ecole nationale des Beaux-Arts de Lyon and at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris. In 1903, the School of Fine Arts of the University of Pennsylvania offered him the position of Professor of Design. He was the dominant force in architectural education there until is retirement in 1937, and he had a profound impact on an entire generation of American architects. He employed many of his students in his own firm, and four of his students (John F. Harbeson, William J.H. Hough, William Henry Livingston, Sr., and Roy Frank Larson) became full partners. They continued the firm on Cret's death as Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson, later known as H2L2.

This collection comprises a reference file on topics related to architectural design and construction, maintained by the office of Paul Philippe Cret and continued by his successor firm Harbeson Hough Livingston and Larson (later H2L2). That firm donated the file to the Free Library of Philadelphia in 1969. The collection was transfered to the Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania in 2005.

From the description of Paul Philippe Cret clippings collection, 1910-1969. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 230738178

Philadelphia architect who specialized in the design of public buildings.

Born in Lyon, France in 1876, attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris (1897-1903), taught at the University of Pennsylvania (1903-1937), retained by the University of Texas at Austin as a consulting architect for the development of a master plan for the campus (1930-1945).

From the description of Paul Philippe Cret Drawings for the University of Texas, 1930-1945. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 27347897

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Peale-Sellers families. Correspondence, 1686-1963. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Paul Philippe Cret : vertical file. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Paul Philippe Cret clippings collection, 1910-1969. University of Pennsylvania, Architectural Archives
referencedIn Harold Van Buren Magonigle papers, 1894-1939, 1919-1930 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Paul Philippe Cret architectural records, 1823-1945 (bulk 1896-1945). University of Pennsylvania, Architectural Archives
referencedIn Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Office of Chief Engineer. Records, 1862-1976 (bulk 1885-1965). Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Frances Benjamin Johnston Papers, 1855-1956, (bulk 1890-1945) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Laird, Warren Powers, 1861-1948. Warren Powers Laird architectural records and papers, 1888-1945. University of Pennsylvania, Architectural Archives
referencedIn Myron Bement Smith collection, circa 1910-1970 Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives
creatorOf John Henry Bradley Storrs papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Eternal Light Peace Monument [model] : peace eternal in a nation united. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Paul Philippe Cret collection : drawings, 1920. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. The building/Paul Philippe Cret records, 1919-1931 (predominantly 1919-1921). Detroit Institute of Arts Research Library & Archives, DIA Research Library & Archives
referencedIn Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Architectural Drawings and Photographs for Two Planning Studies, 1927-1936. University of Pennsylvania, Architectural Archives
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Correspondence with Edgar Fahs Smith, 1915-1916. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Paul Philippe Cret Drawings (University of Texas at Austin campus), Photographic Material, and Papers Accession number(s): 1982007, 1984010, 1985009, 1986018, 1986022, 2000027, 2000035, 2001007., 1930-1957 Alexander Architectural Archive, University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.
referencedIn Bendiner, Alfred. Alfred Bendiner correspondence, 1942. Library of Congress
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Paul Philippe Cret architectural drawings, circa 1901-1936. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Paul Philippe Cret papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn John Henry Bradley Storrs papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Price, Llewellyn R. (Llewellyn Robert), 1896-1970. Llewellyn R. Price architectural drawings, 1919-1922. University of Pennsylvania, Architectural Archives
referencedIn Philadelphia Commission (Pa.). Letters, 1929. Temple University Libraries, Paley Library
referencedIn Austin, Its Architects and Architecture, 1836-1986, Manuscript Records AR. 2009. 005., 1965-1986, 1985-1986 Austin History Center , Austin Public Library, 810 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas, 78701.
creatorOf Hough, William J. H. (William Jarrett Hallowell), 1888-1969. William J.H. Hough papers, 1765-1925 (bulk 1907-1919). University of Pennsylvania, Architectural Archives
creatorOf Evans, John Lane, 1902-1994. John Lane Evans architectural records, 1920-1982. University of Pennsylvania, Architectural Archives
creatorOf Howe, George, 1886-1955. George Howe papers, 1926-1974, (bulk 1926-1955). Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Guastavino Fireproof Construction Company/George Collins. Architectural records. Series II: Project Records. Subseries 6: Files, Connecticut, 1891-1980 (bulk 1930-1938). Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Battle, William James, 1870-1955. Battle, William James, papers, 1870-1959. University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Emil Lorch Papers, 1891-1963 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Pan American Union Building, Washington, D.C. : presentation, development and working drawings, 1907-1950. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn Whitney Warren papers, 1914-1926. Houghton Library
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. The Tower University of Texas, Austin, Texas [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Alexander B. Trowbridge letters Archives of American Art
creatorOf Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Philadelphia City Planning Commission architectural drawings and photographs for two planning studies, 1927-1936. University of Pennsylvania, Architectural Archives
referencedIn Brenda Putnam Papers, 1915-1965 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Paul Philippe Cret drawings, 120 University of Minnesota Libraries. Northwest Architectural Archives, Manuscripts Division
referencedIn Burroughs, Clyde H., 1882-1973. The Clyde H. Burroughs records, 1906-1946. Detroit Institute of Arts Research Library & Archives, DIA Research Library & Archives
creatorOf Colish, Aaron, 1910-1997. Aaron Colish architectural records, 1939-1993 (bulk 1939-1967). University of Pennsylvania, Architectural Archives
referencedIn Delano, William Adams, 1874-1960. William Adams Delano papers, 1902-1960 (inclusive), 1939-1960 (bulk). Yale University Library
creatorOf Harold Van Buren Magonigle papers, 1894-1939, bulk (1919-1930). New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Eternal Light Peace Memorial [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
referencedIn Rodin Museum (Philadelphia, Pa.). Rodin Museum records, 1892-1991, n.d. Philadelphia Museum of Art
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Papers, 1865-1976. University of Pennsylvania Library
referencedIn William James Battle Papers, 1870-1959 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Cameron, Ralph, 1892-1970. Ralph Cameron papers, 1914-1970. University of Texas Libraries
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Pan American Union Building, Washington, D.C. : presentation, development and working drawings, 1907-1950. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Lorch, Emil, 1870-1963. Emil Lorch papers, 1891-1963. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Brakeley, George Archibald, 1884-1961. Letters to Horace Howard Furness, Jr., 1929-1930. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Peale-Sellers family collection, 1686-1963 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Richard Burke Schnedl Papers, Bulk, 1957-1999, 1896-2011 North Carolina State University. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf University of Texas. University of Texas buildings collection, 1882-[ongoing] University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Office of Chief Engineer Philadelphia Improvements. Records, 1925-1938. Hagley Museum & Library
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Artist file : miscellaneous uncataloged material. Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
creatorOf Cret, Paul Philippe, 1876-1945. Paul Philippe Cret Drawings for the University of Texas, 1930-1945. University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Ralph Cameron (1892-1970) Drawings and architectural records, San Antonio, South and Central Texas Accession number(s): 1979003; 1979004; 1982009; 1990003., 1914-1970 Alexander Architectural Archive, University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Ampaglia, Carlo J. person
associatedWith Battle, William James person
associatedWith Battle, William James, 1870-1955. person
correspondedWith Bendiner, Alfred. person
associatedWith Bernard, Pierre. person
associatedWith Booth, Ralph H. (Ralph Harmon), 1873-1931. person
associatedWith Bottiau, Alfred (Alfred Alphonse), 1889-1951. person
associatedWith Brakeley, George Archibald, 1884-1961. person
associatedWith Bryant and Detwiler Co. corporateBody
associatedWith Burroughs, Clyde H., 1882-1973. person
associatedWith Cameron, Ralph, 1892-1970 person
associatedWith Colish, Aaron, 1910-1997. person
associatedWith Delano, William Adams, 1874-1960. person
associatedWith Detroit Arts Commission. corporateBody
associatedWith Detroit Institute of Arts. corporateBody
associatedWith École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts (France) corporateBody
associatedWith Evans, John Lane, 1902-1994. person
associatedWith Federal Reserve Building (Washington, D.C.) corporateBody
associatedWith Folger Shakespeare Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Guastavino Fireproof Construction Company/George Collins. corporateBody
associatedWith Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson corporateBody
associatedWith Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson. corporateBody
associatedWith Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson. corporateBody
associatedWith Harbeson, John F. (John Frederick), 1888-1986. person
associatedWith Hartford County Building (Hartford, Conn.) corporateBody
associatedWith Hough, William J. H. (William Jarrett Hallowell), 1888-1969. person
associatedWith Howe, George, 1886-1955. person
associatedWith Jallade, Louis E. (Louis Eugene), 1876-1957. person
correspondedWith Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1864-1952. person
correspondedWith Johnston, Francis Benjamin, 1864-1852 person
associatedWith Kahn, Albert, 1869-1942. person
associatedWith Kelsey, Albert, 1870-1950 person
associatedWith Lahalle, Charles Dominique Oscar, d. 1909. person
associatedWith Laird, Warren Powers, 1861-1948. person
associatedWith Larson, Roy Frank, 1893-1973. person
associatedWith Liberty War Memorial (Kansas City, Mo.) Competition. corporateBody
associatedWith Littlefield Memorial Fountain (Austin, Tex.) corporateBody
associatedWith Livingston, William Henry, 1898-1965. person
associatedWith Lorch, Emil, 1870-1963. person
associatedWith Magonigle, Harold Van Buren, 1867-1935. person
associatedWith Pan American Union Building (Washington, D.C.) corporateBody
associatedWith Pan American Union Building (Washington, D.C.) corporateBody
associatedWith Peale-Sellers families. family
associatedWith Peale-Sellers families. person
associatedWith Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Office of Chief Engineer. corporateBody
associatedWith Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Office of Chief Engineer Philadelphia Improvements. corporateBody
associatedWith Pewabic Pottery (Firm) corporateBody
associatedWith Philadelphia City Planning Commission. corporateBody
associatedWith Philadelphia Commission (Pa.) corporateBody
associatedWith Pietz, Adam, 1873-1961. person
associatedWith Price, Llewellyn R. (Llewellyn Robert), 1896-1970. person
associatedWith Putnam, Brenda, 1890-1975 person
associatedWith Quentin Roosevelt Fountain. corporateBody
associatedWith Riaboff, Boris I., 1892-1973. person
associatedWith Rodin, Auguste, 1840-1917. person
associatedWith Rodin Museum (Philadelphia, Pa.) corporateBody
associatedWith Roosevelt, Quentin, 1897-1918. person
associatedWith Schnedl, Richard person
associatedWith Smith, Hank Todd person
correspondedWith Smith, Myron Bement, 1897-1970 person
associatedWith Storrs, John Henry Bradley, 1885-1956. person
associatedWith Tannahill, Robert Hudson. person
associatedWith Texas Memorial Museum. corporateBody
associatedWith Trowbridge, Alexander Buell, 1868-1950. person
associatedWith University of Pennsylvania. Dept. of Architecture corporateBody
associatedWith University of Pennsylvania. Graduate School of Fine Arts corporateBody
associatedWith University of Texas corporateBody
associatedWith University of Texas. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Texas at Austin corporateBody
associatedWith University of Texas at Austin. Main Building. corporateBody
associatedWith Valentiner, Wilhelm Reinhold, 1880-1958. person
correspondedWith Warren, Whitney, 1864-1943 person
associatedWith Yellin, Samuel, 1885-1940. person
associatedWith Yount House (Austin, Tex.) corporateBody
associatedWith Yount, M. F., Esq. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Philadelphia (Pa.)
Connecticut--Hartford
United States
Michigan--Detroit
Washington (D.C.)
Washington (D.C.)
Austin (Tex.)
Michigan--Detroit
Pennsylvania
United States
Texas--Austin
Michigan
Washington (D.C.)
United States
Subject
Academic libraries
Academic libraries
Architects
Architects
Architectural design
Architectural design
Architectural drawings
Architecture
Architecture
Architecture
Architecture
Architecture
Architecture
Architecture, American
Architecture, Spanish
Art historians
Art patrons
Bas-relief
Beaux
Bridges
Campus planning
Campus planning
College buildings
Universities and colleges
Design development drawings
Dormitories
Dormitories
Landscape architectural drawing
Landscape architectural drawing
Libraries
Library architecture
Library architecture
Monuments
Museum directors
Public buildings
Railroads
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
Watercolor painting
Watercolor painting
Whitby Hall
Occupation
Architect
Artists
Activity

Person

Birth 1876-10-24

Death 1945-09-08

Americans

English,

French

Information

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