One of the earliest photographs taken by Guerrero when he became Frank Lloyd Wright’s longtime photographer, this 1940 picture of the farm wing of Taliesin is the essence of the 1911 structure.

With topography resembling Tuscany and emulating the ancient buildings Wright had just seen there in 1910, the rough limestone courses contrasting with smooth stucco walls also remind the viewer of the horizontal lines and deep eaves of his concurrent Prairie Houses.

This print was most likely developed in the 1950s but more important, it was in Guerrero’s private collection.

Pedro E. Guerrero
Hill Tower in Winter
Period gelatin-silver print
Neg: 1940 Print: Circa 1950s
Labeled with Taliesin, Wisconsin 1940 on verso
8 x 10 inches

Taliesin’s rear entrance features a blue glazed antique Japanese urn and the primeval-looking limestone walls of pulled courses and slapdash mortar Wright preferred for his own home.

The original 1911 structure was remodeled after its fatal arson in 1914 and electrical fire of 1925 but maintained its rambling, horizontal layering.

Guerrero was Wright’s longest-lasting photographic chronicler perhaps because the famous architect thought the photographer came closest to his own aesthetic for some of the greatest buildings in the world. And Guerrero may have treasured this and other early images for that reason.

This print was most likely developed for Guerrero’s private collection.

Pedro E. Guerrero
Entrance Steps in Winter
Period gelatin-silver print
Neg: Circa 1940 Print: Circa 1950s
Stamped P.E.Guerrero on verso
8 x 10 inches

The Taliesin farm land was not only the young Wright’s favorite place to play as a child, it informed the architecture of the main home in 1911.

This photograph was shot very early in Guerrero’s Wright career. Because of the low horizon, the cloudy sky comprises two-thirds of the image and the Guernsey cows in the foreground share focus with the Taliesin hill tower in the lower third.

This print was most likely developed for Guerrero’s private collection.

Pedro E. Guerrero
Cows at Taliesin
Period gelatin-silver proof print
Neg: 1940 Print: Circa 1940
Labeled with Taliesin, Wisconsin 1940 on verso
8 x 10 inches

This vertical photograph differs from a horizontal print sold through the guerrerophoto.com site in that it shows the lefthand figure [on ladder] cropped out. As such, it may have been Guerrero’s preferred version at the start of his career with Wright.

Guerrero dated this image “1940” and the wooden Call Building model was also seen in his 1947 portrait of Wright titled “I Am An Architect.” It was also used in the 1914 Architectural Exhibition at the Art Institute and the 1953 temporary pavilion on the site of the Guggenheim Museum.

This print was most likely developed for Guerrero’s private collection.

Pedro E. Guerrero
Model Making
Period gelatin-silver proof print
Neg: 1940 Print: Circa 1940
Nothing on verso
8 x 10 inches