Completed in 1929, the Art Deco-style building at 75 Federal Street was expanded in the 1980s, hence the building's double address. These original bronze panels on the 1929 building's facade depict human accomplishments in such areas as agriculture, manufacturing, and architecture. Inside, the building's lobby is lavishly decorated, with yellow and black marble surfaces, gilded elevator doors, and coordinated light fixtures. Art Deco design was developed in France and originally featured natural motifs, such as geometrical patterns of leaves and flowers. However, as artists in other countries adopted the style, they also altered it to fit the modern and industrial urban environment. With their streamlined, linear forms and emphasis on modern technology, these panels give Art Deco a distinctly American twist. Courtesy of Boston Art Commission.
