Whimsy in Wood and Name: Wharton Esherick

It’s funny how we can have all sorts of amazing cultural places not far from where we live – museums, gardens, historic landmarks – and we tell ourselves “I need to check that place out some time.” And then the years go by, and you’ve yet to check it out!

I can say I don’t typically let years go by, but in this case Wharton Esherick studio was one of those places I’d not visited.   It wasn’t until last fall that I finally discovered him. The eccentric studio and little homestead of this lesser known artist, sculptor, and craftsman is a hidden gem, filled with an array of art in several mediums (mostly wood).  How can one go wrong visiting a place where he outhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places? I love architecture, and while I’m  not fully privy or educated formally around it, to me it’s what is pleasing and amazing to the eye and the knowledge of the feat and engineering required to build it.

Wharton Esherick (1887 – 1970), was a Philadelphia native, the studio/museum not far from where I now live. He began his career as a painter, built his studio, moved on to carving frames for his paintings, and then on to woodcut prints and finally, sculpture and furniture. He is considered a pioneer in the 20th century for his organic harmonizing style, mostly wood, and today his influence can be seen within the “Studio Craft movement.”  His actual studio evolved over forty years, and is considered his biggest “piece” of artwork. Having visited twice now, I can say I’d never ever tire of popping in a couple times a year.

You can also check out his super interesting bio here.

The Studio, from 1926 – 1966. The stone portion to the left was first, built in 1926. The wooden part, 1940, a bath in 1947, and the silo added in 1966.

The little modern gnome welcomed us.

Wharton’s bed. Books and a great view, who’d want to get up in the morning?

Bedroom. Quirky cozy art and living space.

Outside the studio portion.

Inside the studio living area, with gorgeous views of the property.

Kitchen. The pottery and wood all his creation.

The dining area, with yet another spectacular view and art.

Kitchen.

Wouldn’t you love to have your tea here every morning?

Kitchen, with stairs leading up to his son’s bedroom.

Sculptures, outside-in view

Sculptures in his studio window.

A swan sculpture, under a rainspout which Esherick placed outside his dining area. The rain created a waterfall which would stream onto the swan.

Esherick’s outhouse is a “three sided Expressionist crystalline form” that looks out over valley of his homestead. After Wharton installed a bathroom in the studio in 1947, the outhouse slowly rotted on the hillside until it was taken down and its parts were stored, and then recently reconstructed in Esherick’s existing woodshed.

Esherick collaborated with Philadelphia architect Louis Kahn, one of the great modernists, in constructing what is now an Esherick family residence (the purply blue building).

The doors all had eclectic and interesting handles – most also made of wood.

Self Portrait, 1919.

 

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