Klaus Grutzka
Klaus G. Grutzka | |
---|---|
Born | Breslau (Wroclaw), Upper Silesia, Germany | February 9, 1923
Died | March 28, 2011 Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US | (aged 88)
Resting place | Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) |
Alma mater | Muthesius Werkschule |
Known for | Paintings of industrial subjects |
Movement | Precisionism |
Spouse(s) | Eva Grutzka (divorced) Sybilla Grutzka |
Klaus Guido Grutzka (February 9, 1923 – March 28, 2011) was a
During
Grutzka's work includes posters, the label for the
Early life and education
Klaus Grutzka's father, Johan (Jan) Grutzka (Grudska), was born in Krakau (
As a young man, Klaus Grutzka moved from Breslau to
Grutka married his first wife, Eva, née Koenn, in Kiel, around the end of 1942. Near the end of the World War II, Grutka's U-boot was scuttled at
Klaus Grutzka subsequently enrolled in the prestigious Muthesius Werkschule in Kiel for formal art study and became known among local artists and art patrons. He illustrated local volumes of books about the region, such as Kiel: Bildroman einer Stadt (Kiel: A visual novel of a city) by Hans Ludwig Zankl , for which Fritz Neuser did the cover and Grutzka provided illustrations.[5] Grutzka participated repeatedly in the annual poster competition for the world-famous sailing event, the Kiel Week regatta. One of his posters was accepted as an ambassador for this prestigious sailing event.
Career as an artist
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Dortmunder_Union_Bier_%285518462093%29.jpg/220px-Dortmunder_Union_Bier_%285518462093%29.jpg)
Throughout Grutzka's career, he painted industrial motifs as well as artistic works depicting the interiors of Catholic churches, especially
After divorcing his first wife Eva, he met Sybilla Hamilton, an Irish-born journalist and language instructor. Together they moved to
During this period of his life, Grutzka went on two journeys that influenced much of the rest of his artistic career. One trip was to
The visit to the United States influenced Grutzka and his wife Sybilla to move to the United States in 1961.[3] They initially lived in an apartment in Astoria, near the East River in New York City, a neighborhood where many German immigrants had already settled. The subsequently rented half of the home of another German immigrant, the home being located in Hoboken, New Jersey. During their time in residence in Hoboken, Grutzka became further familiar with the local industrial landscape. Grutzka produced a significant number of paintings and line drawings of the local industrial landscape.
Grutzka also illustrated covers for 33 Metal Producing magazine, a
At this period of his career, Grutzka served as an instructor at the DuCret School of Art in Plainfield, New Jersey.[1]
Grutzka subsequently began industrial art projects with major corporations, especially
As the steel industry declined in that time period, Grutzka began employment at
“Everyone liked Klaus. He was a real gentleman and extremely knowledgeable.... You could ask him any question and get an encyclopedia for an answer.”[11]
Subsequently, Grutzka and his wife Sybilla moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he continued to work as an artist for another 20 years. He died on March 28, 2011. His body was interred at Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
In 2013, a collection of thousands of his artworks was acquired by the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum in the Lukens Historic District of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and his Lancaster studio was re-created at the Museum.[9] Grutzka's depiction in his artworks of the surroundings of industrial architecture has added to its popular appeal.[2]
Honors and legacy
Grutzka was a
The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum maintains the Grutzka Studio. The museum has a collection of Grutzka's artworks numbering several thousand,[13] which can be loaned out for exhibitions.[7]
With interests in both art and engineering, Klaus Grutzka collected mechanical steam toys, which were sold at auction after his death.[11]
External links
- Klaus G. Grutzka Industrial Art Collection at the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum
- Examples of Grutzka's artworks can be seen on-line.
- Klaus Grutzka artwork and reference materials, held by the Philadelphia Area Archives Research Portal, University of Pennsylvania Library.
References
- ^ a b "Klaus G. Grutzka obituary". lancasteronline.com. Lancaster County News. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ a b c Rodgers, Lucas (July 21, 2015). "Art Appreciation". Daily Local News.
- ^ a b c d e "The Isabella Furnace" (PDF). industrialarcheology.net. Society for Industrial Archeology. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d Alexander, Larry (May 29, 2006). "German War Vet Looks Back". Intelligencer Journal: A1.
- ^ Zankl, Hans Ludwig (1959). Kiel : Bildroman einer Stadt; graphische Gestaltung und Umschlag, Fritz Neuser; Zeichnungen, Klaus Grutzka. Kiel: Magistrat der Stadt Kiel. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ "Klaus Grutzka (1922 - 2011)". The Art of Klaus Grutzka.
- ^ a b c Rodgers, Lucas (July 21, 2015). "Coatesville Savings Bank holds exhibition for Klaus Grutzka art". Daily Local News. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ Rettew Jr., Bill (February 24, 2013). "Chester County: Steel Museum Adds Industrial Art". The Mercury. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum Acquires and Debuts The Grutzka Collection". Joel Sater Publications. Antiques & Auction News. March 8, 2013. pp. 13, 17. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ "Klaus Grutzka (1923-2011)". icollector.com. iCollector.com Online Auctions. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Bertoia's Mar. 23-24 auction led by toys from Van Dexter collection". Auction Central News. March 13, 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ Hyde, Charles K. (1991). "The Birth of the SIA and Reminiscences by Some of Its Founders". The Journal of the Society for Industrial Archeology. 17 (1): 3–16.
- ^ Smith, Natalie. "Iron and Steel Museum has Technology, Art and History". chestercounty.com. Chester County Press. Retrieved 17 March 2021.