New York-based antiques appraiser Leigh Keno possesses more than four decades of experience in the field of decorative and fine art. He has written groundbreaking articles on 18th century Boston seating furniture for the 1996 and 1998 editions of the scholarly journal, American Furniture, published by the Chipstone Foundation. Although Leigh Keno has immersed himself deeply into the study of colonial American cabinetmakers and carvers, he also is passionate about the work of 20th century studio craftsman, Wharton Esherick (1887-1970). Over the years, Leigh Keno has owned several important pieces crafted, signed and dated by Esherick and also sold, on behalf of a consignor, an important Music Stand at Keno Auctions.
A native of Pennsylvania, Wharton Esherick was born in 1887 to a wealthy family. He trained in printmaking and commercial art at the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, and he studied painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts before he began working as a book illustrator and painter.
Eventually, Esherick began carving wood frames for his paintings. These frames brought more praise than the paintings they held, and by the 1920s, Esherick turned his artistic focus to sculpting wood, which became his primary medium for the rest of his life.
Esherick enjoyed creating organic sculptures and furniture that combined beauty and function. Many of his early pieces were inspired by medieval forms. However, over time, Esherick’s style evolved into cubism, expressionism, and other modern art movements, earning him a place at three World’s Fairs and exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Craft.
Because of his unique style, Esherick is regarded by many as the link between the furniture industry and the arts and crafts movement. His organic, flowing creations, for which he is best known, reflect his view that furniture can be imbued with the principles of sculpture, thus elevating them to the level of art. His influence was huge and encompassed multiple generations of craftsmen.
In addition, Esherick’s melding of art and craftsmanship earned him respect and helped pave the way for studio woodworking to be a recognized art form. He was recognized by his peers as "the dean of American craftsman". He died in 1970 and was posthumously awarded the American Institute of Architects Craftsmanship Medal.
A native of Pennsylvania, Wharton Esherick was born in 1887 to a wealthy family. He trained in printmaking and commercial art at the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, and he studied painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts before he began working as a book illustrator and painter.
Eventually, Esherick began carving wood frames for his paintings. These frames brought more praise than the paintings they held, and by the 1920s, Esherick turned his artistic focus to sculpting wood, which became his primary medium for the rest of his life.
Esherick enjoyed creating organic sculptures and furniture that combined beauty and function. Many of his early pieces were inspired by medieval forms. However, over time, Esherick’s style evolved into cubism, expressionism, and other modern art movements, earning him a place at three World’s Fairs and exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Craft.
Because of his unique style, Esherick is regarded by many as the link between the furniture industry and the arts and crafts movement. His organic, flowing creations, for which he is best known, reflect his view that furniture can be imbued with the principles of sculpture, thus elevating them to the level of art. His influence was huge and encompassed multiple generations of craftsmen.
In addition, Esherick’s melding of art and craftsmanship earned him respect and helped pave the way for studio woodworking to be a recognized art form. He was recognized by his peers as "the dean of American craftsman". He died in 1970 and was posthumously awarded the American Institute of Architects Craftsmanship Medal.
