Reviews of California State Library - Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building (Library)

angelo jose

GREAT BUILDING...

C Finigan

I explored the Library and Courts Building in early December of 2017 and '18 and absolutely love the architecture! Completed in 1928 to accommodate the expanding state library, the building combines Neoclassical architecture with early infusions of Art Deco. The building's Memorial Vestibule is decorated with 16 beautiful black and gold Italian marble columns topped with bronze urns. The murals right above them depicting war through the ages are the work of San Francisco artist Frank Van Sloun. The second floor corridors are beautifully decorated with marble drinking fountains and outstanding murals by Maynard Dixon. The magnificent Gillis Hall, located up on the third floor and spanning the entire north side of the building greets visitors with soaring ceilings, gilded classical columns capped with Roman Ionic capitals, and original bronze chandeliers with the highlight of the room being Maynard Dixon's 1928 masterpiece titled, "A Pageant of Traditions". The woodwork in the courtrooms is absolutely gorgeous. The original courtroom on the fifth floor is constructed of gum eucalyptus wood decorated with a beautiful gilded dome and stately pilasters donned with magnificent Corinthian capitals. Though the court was supposed to meet in the fifth floor chamber, the Chief Justice at the time refused to meet in the building's "attic", so an expensive and stately reproduction chamber was constructed also of gum eucalyptus on the first floor, and functions as the courtroom today. This magnificent building is open to the public and I therefore strongly recommend that you pay a visit to the library so you can savor the sights of the stunning murals and woodwork.