Rudolph and Leopold Blaschka were a German father and son team of glass artists who were hired by Harvard University to make glass flowers for their botany department in the late 1800's. They also were known for their representations of invertabrate sea life.
You can see their story on the Corning Museum's video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHOx5H5vNx4
Or you can read about them here: http://www.journalofantiques.com/Feb04/featurefeb04.htmI saw their Harvard exhibit while attending the International Society of Glass Beadmaker's (ISGB) Gathering in Lowell, MA a few years ago. Their work was magnificent. And thinking back to the exhibit, and now to the changes that have been made in the glass world- tools, equipment, types and colors of glass, it makes their artistry even more astounding.
Often times, lampworkers discuss whether glass is "art" or "craft". This topic will continue to be argued long after I'm gone. To me, I don't know how you can call their glass botany and sea life anything but "Art".
Absolutely amazing, the things they did with glass! I'm awestruck every single time I see a picture, ya know? Thanks for the glass goodness to start the day, Marcy :)
ReplyDeleteHi Marcy,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for telling us about these amazing artists. I enjoyed the video and will read the article later (thanks for the sites). Did you ever go to the Corning Glass Works Museum? I was there ages ago and then again just a few years ago...it is wonderful!
Lois
Hi Lois,
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Corning, but really would love to go. Lucky you for that experience.
There are so many glass meccas- I dream about Murano too.
Marcy
Hi Marcy,
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm very lucky...(I think we talked about this before)...I also visited Murano (and saw a glass blowing demo there). What an amazing place...unfortunately, it was many moons ago and I hadn't yet discovered my fascination with glass. Now that I can appreciate it more I think I need to go back (after college expenses of course)...perhaps we should go together! LOL
Lois
Wow! That truly is art!
ReplyDeleteThe Harvard Museum of Natural History in Cambridge, MA permanently displays some 3,000 models of the Ware collection Blaschka 'Glass Flowers" -- and until March 1st, 2009, they have an exhibit, the first ever in Cambridge since the late 19th c. of dozens from Harvard's collection of Blaschka marine models, Sea Creatures in Glass.
ReplyDeleteThe museum is open 9 am to 5 pm daily, and is just a 7-8 minute walk from the Harvard Square T station. Info, and images of some of the marine and botanical models at www.hmnh.harvard.edu.