IMPRINT 2019

The Wharton Esherick Museum

The Wharton Esherick Museum was the home and studio of famed American artist Wharton Esherick (1887–1970), who was internationally renowned for his work with wood including sculpture, furniture, furnishings, interiors, and buildings. He was a multi-talented artist who was also passionate about painting, printmaking, drawing, and poetry.

Born in Philadelphia, Esherick’s interest in wood began in 1920. The Museum states, “he began to carve simple representational designs on frames for his paintings. This led to carving woodcuts, some 350 blocks…and carving on furniture…He began sculpting in wood…and gravitated towards direct carving and interior furnishings.”

Esherick was enamored with wood, “the nature of wood and its dynamic material quality,” which turned into a lifelong exploration that resulted in a prolific, all-encompassing body of work including the construction of his studio, today, considered the centerpiece of the museum. In 1973, the studio was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1993, the Museum was designated a National Historic Landmark for Architecture.

As part of the Museum’s mission to preserve, maintain, and exhibit Esherick’s work, they seek to introduce new audiences to his art. One way that they achieve this goal is through the annual youth art competition Imprint. In its 11th year, the Museum invites art students from Chester, Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties to participate. “Our aim for this program is to inspire new generations of young artists through Esherick’s prints and legacy.”

Visit whartonesherickmuseum.org.