Abiel Abbot Low, the father of Seth Low, made a fortune on the China trade. He was a businessman, trader, and philanthropist. Unlike his son Seth, who served as the mayor of Brooklyn (before the incorporation) and New York City, Low never ran for an…

Five photographs.

The first photograph is of the fluted, Ionic columns used to decorate the facade of Low Library.

The second and third photographs are of a column that marks the end of the lobby. The color is a marbled brown.

Photographs…

Two photographs.

The first photograph is an overall view of the dome from the plaza below.

The second photograph gives a detailed view of the dome. Antifixes decorate the tops of the octagonal structure that supports the dome.

Three photographs.

The first photograph illustrates the decoration along the cornice (rosettes, flowers, and lions' heads) and under it.

The second photograph is a more detailed image of the decoration under the cornice.

The last photograph…

Four photographs. One of two external lights on either side of the steps up to Low Library. The lamps are on the same level as the library.

The first two photographs are of the light from different angles.

The last two photographs are details…

Nine photographs. The rotunda in Low Library was where the main stacks were located. When the library ran out of room, there was nowhere to expand, so Butler Library was built and the main library moved there.

The first photograph is looking up…

Five photographs. Alma Mater, which was made by Daniel Chester French in 1903. The statue is on a marble and granite pedestal designed by Charles Follen McKim of McKim, Mead & White, It is a level below the library but situated right in front of the…

Four photographs of one of the two urns on both sides of and at the top of the grand staircase leading up to Low Library.

The first photograph shows what the urn looks like.

The second photograph shows the bronze lion decoration of the handle…

Nine photographs.

The first five photographs deal with the bust of Athena that is in the center of the lobby as one enters Low Library. Athena appears as Parthenos ("the Virgin"). Ancient libraries were known to have large busts or statuary to the…

Five photographs.

The first photograph is of the facade of Low Library.

The second is how Low Library appears across the plaza.

The third photograph is a close-up of the Ionic, fluted columns on the building.

The fifth photograph is a…