Artwork
The Glass Engraver
The Glass Engraver is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Charles Frederic Ulrich. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
About this work
Overview
Charles Frederic Ulrich created The Glass Engraver in 1892, an oil painting that now belongs to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The work presents a solitary craftsman at his bench, surrounded by tools and glass objects, illuminated by daylight streaming through a large window. The composition captures a moment of focused labor within a modest workshop setting.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is an artisan engaged in the delicate task of engraving glass. By depicting a quiet, concentrated episode of everyday work, Ulrich emphasizes the dignity of manual labor and invites viewers to observe the subtle rhythms of a craft often hidden from public view.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting demonstrates Ulrich’s attention to the interaction of light and material. He renders the gleam on glass and the sheen of metal with careful brushwork, creating depth and texture that convey the tactile qualities of the workshop environment.
Context
Ulrich, an American realist who spent much of his career in Germany, was influenced by the broader Impressionist movement of the late 19th century. The Glass Engraver reflects this synthesis, combining realist genre subject matter with an interest in atmospheric light and color.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the painting has entered the collection of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s holdings of American realist and Impressionist-influenced works.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Frederic Ulrich (18 October 1858 – 15 May 1908) was an American Realist painter who spent most of his career in Germany. He is best known for his genre scenes of working-class people.
Museum
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
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