Posted 9 years ago
mikelv85
(1232 items)
These were at the Goodwill being remodeled in a canvas cart with other pictures. I thought they were really nice although a bit scratched up. They had a strange smell to the gold spatter backing paper which I finally figured out must be incense. I took them out and proceeded to the checkout. Disaster...the registers were down because the phone lines were out. So cash only ! I put them back in the rack with some other pictures and left bummed and empty handed along with a lot of other customers. I got back today (2 days later) and they were still there ! They are signed by Franz Grosz. The only artist I've found online is a Franz Joseph Grosz who is known primarily for his etched glass work . So I'm not sure if he's the same person that made the panels. Engraving skills would have come in handy here but I don't know if he worked in wood as well as glass. A few have popped up on Etsy as single panels but they've had color applied and are not plain like these which have just a couple black accents. Described as mid-century carved wood panels. The "Sacred Heart" panel is online along with "The Holy Family" but no examples of Mary. So only a few to be found online to compare these too. The Mary panel has separated from the backing plywood it was mounted to. A little Elmer's carpenter glue will make it right. -Mike-
i think you mean 'sacred' heart of Jesus!
OMG...how embarrassing Ho2 ...I never can proof read enough...my dyslexia is kicking in again. Now I'll have to say three Hail Mary's :)
I think those are older than you think. I would say it is the same person - that could be considered wood etching. He decorated his glass by the same technique.
"Franz Grosz studied at the Art Students League and the National Academy. He had a long and varied career, starting as a WPA artist.
He exhibited at the Bodley Gallery in NYC and Galerie Visconti in Paris. His work has been in the Carnegie Institute and he is a known for his art glass."
Andthis:
"We have little information on Franz Grosz and his company Groszart. He was an artist who worked in a variety of media, including glass. He did not work for a glass firm, but purchased blanks (glass with no pattern or decoration), which he decorated by a process he called sandcarving. Although we have two catalogs of his ware, it is all smaller objects - tableglass, vases, etc., and no large pieces. He often sold his glass through a firm Mary Ryan. I am able to find him at the address you have from 1946-1957, but this is a time period for which we have few directories. In 1951, the firm was in Elmhurst NY and was owned by Joseph F. Grosz and Robert Bodkin, and listed themselves as "decorators of glass for giftware and decorative architectural purposes". It seems possible to me that he purchased a plain glass table, or your parents provided him with one, which he then decorated. "
http://libanswers.cmog.org/a.php?qid=548920
Yeah - it's the same guy. Here's his signature on some glass.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/203774173/franz-grosz-signed-large-125-inch-etched
You're right Celiene.....great sleuthing. I had a hunch but the signature is a perfect match so there we go. Awesome ! Thanks so much. -Mike-
you are a lucky man
And how Kivatinitz :).....You can't believe how anxious I was on the drive there this morning.
Mike, These are really great!! What an awesome find! And Celiene sure came thru on the sleuthing. Great job Celiene!!
Thanks Scott:)...so glad they didn't get away !
Great find Mike! Obviously they were meant for you to have... Davine intervention?
stunning!!!!!!
Thanks so much Rick and Sean.....I think since they were still there two days later a higher power must have been at work ! :)
Congrats mike!! So beautiful with a history.
I think we have all been on "that drive". LOL It's a pretty rough road getting there but the way back is smooth as butter. :)
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much One.....and you are so right. Every collectors been down that road..lol.
I have a signed Sacred Heart of Jesus wood piece that has been color stained, presumably by the artist. I don't know what it is worth, but it has great sentimental value. My father purchased it new in the 1950's and it greeted me every day as I came home from school from the honored position of greeter in the front entry of our home. Would love to know it's value. The original frame has evidence of aging, but the work itself is in prime condition. It hangs in our bedroom, blessing our marriage.