“This monumental work, a silent symphony of wood, found objects, and paint, invites you to experience the vibrant energy of jazz through a dynamic, three-dimensional collage. It's a visual paradox that hums with an unheard melody.”
Step into the vibrant, rhythmic world of "The Jazz Wall," a monumental construction that seems to hum with an unheard melody. This work combines flat surfaces with three-dimensional forms, layering painted and collaged elements with sculpted objects and scavenged materials. Look closely at the varied textures and unexpected juxtapositions, like a hand at the end of an arm, or a nose in the middle of a face, all crafted from wood, found objects, paper, and paint. Created in 1963, this piece paradoxically evokes the expansive, collaborative sound of jazz through its silent, still presence. It invites you to imagine the improvisational spirit and dynamic energy of a live performance, captured in a tangible, visual form.
- Artist
- William H. Key
- Medium
- Wood, found objects, paper, and paint on wood
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- 241.3 × 271.8 × 35.6 cm (95 × 107 × 14 in.)
- Culture
- United States
- Credit line
- Gift of The Leonard and Ruth Horwich Family Foundation
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The diverse textures of wood, paper, and found objects.
Collaged elements integrated into the painted surfaces.
Three-dimensional forms emerging from the wall.
The way the piece suggests movement and sound through stillness.
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through The Jazz Wall — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
William H. Key
1832–1922 · United StatesWilliam H. Key was an American engraver and medalist, whose work included creating intricate designs for coins and commemorative medals.
Further Works by Key
The Key
Art Institute of Chicago
"The Bath," a dripping spring in Kanab Cañon. Temperature, 69° Fahr, No. 9 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"
1872 · Art Institute of Chicago
Ahem—Those jokes about absent minded professors
Art Institute of Chicago
Jitterbugs II
Art Institute of Chicago
Ship with Sails Furled and Arrow Pointing to the Right
Art Institute of Chicago
"Who knows what Eloise did wrong?"
Art Institute of Chicago
[Group of 266 Stereograph Views of the 1855 and/or 1867 Universal Expositions in Paris, France]
1850 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Bugle in C
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
