Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
Originally created for the Japanese pavilion at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, these four carved architectural panels have seen a lot in their century plus.
They were among the few fragments of the pavilion to survive not one but two arson attempts and then lived under the bleachers at Soldier Field until they were rediscovered there in 1973.
Learn more about how these artworks made their journey to the Art Institute with our executive director of Interpretation, Emily Fry.
Originally created for the Japanese pavilion at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, these four carved architectural panels have seen a lot in their century plus.
They were among the few fragments of the pavilion to survive not one but two arson attempts and then lived under the bleachers at Soldier Field until they were rediscovered there in 1973.
Learn more about how these artworks made their journey to the Art Institute with our executive director of Interpretation, Emily Fry.
