Victorian Grandeur

By Brian Vanden Brink

The Morse Libby Mansion ca. 1860

The Morse Libby Mansion in Portland, Maine is one of the most remarkable and well preserved Victorian houses in America. Designed by architect Henry Austin and completed in 1860, the house stands as a case study in Victorian elegance and decor. The interiors were done by the famous Gustave Herter with much of the original furnishings still intact. The house is mind boggling and must be seen in person to fully appreciate. This photograph shows a section of the music room and illustrates the elaborate and over the top frescoes and trompe l’oeil wall decorations as well as the beautiful and ornate furniture. The house is an outstanding example of the Victorian genre and is a fascinating contrast to today’s simpler and comparatively more austere aesthetic.

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Victorian Grandeur

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