Skip to Content
Today Open today 10–11 members | 11–5 public

Bench (from the Helene Koerting Fischer home)

A work made of padauk.

Image actions

  • A work made of padauk.

Date:

1938

Artist:

Wharton Esherick
American, 1887–1970

About this artwork

A pioneer of the American studio furniture movement, Wharton Esherick began his artistic career as a painter, but he was most prolific in the realm of woodwork, creating sculpture, furniture, and architecture. This bench was made for the home of Philadelphia businesswoman Helene Koerting Fischer as a hall bench that also housed the family’s growing record collection (cleverly placed within the drawers below the seat). It is a monumental work that is at once expressive and sculptural, gesturing toward Esherick’s desire to seamlessly join sculpture and furniture in a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind artwork that also reveals an interest in Expressionism.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of the Americas

Artist

Wharton Esherick

Title

Bench (from the Helene Koerting Fischer home)

Place

United States (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1938

Medium

Padauk

Dimensions

97 × 240 × 68 cm (38 1/4 × 94 1/2 × 26 1/4 in.)

Credit Line

Through prior purchase of the George F. Harding Collection

Reference Number

2011.229

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Share

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.

Learn more

Image actions

Share