Henry Koerner's Once and Future Pittsburgh
Join the Rauh Jewish Archives for a celebration of the life and legacy of Henry Koerner.
Image: Henry Koerner, American, 1915-1991; Oh Fearful Wonder of Man (detail), 1962, oil on canvas, 88 3/16 × 102 3/8 in. (224 × 260 cm); Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, The Henry L. Hillman Fund, 81.68; © Henry Koerner. By permission
When Henry Koerner arrived in Pittsburgh from New York in 1952, the American art world was changing. Koerner, a Jewish refugee from Vienna, was known for his distinctive style of magical realism, which was quickly being overshadowed by the rise of abstract expressionism.
But in Pittsburgh, he found new inspiration. The city’s epic vistas, gritty characters, and unexpected encounters became rich subjects for his work, while Pittsburgh itself offered a place where his artistic practice could flourish.
To honor the 35th anniversary of Koerner’s death, the Rauh Jewish Archives will look back at his Pittsburgh career and look ahead to his enduring legacy through four unique perspectives:
- A local art historian will explore Koerner’s career in Pittsburgh.
- A member of Koerner’s family and fellow art historian will offer both a personal and professional perspective on his life and work.
- A documentary filmmaker will examine Koerner’s story through the lens of film.
- The preservationist who purchased Koerner’s iconic Squirrel Hill home will reflect on the importance of preserving his legacy for future generations.
Together, these perspectives will paint a fuller portrait of Koerner, his relationship with Pittsburgh, and the lasting impact of his work on the city.
This program is presented in partnership with Concept Art Gallery.
Admission
This program is free with advance registration.
About the Speakers
Dr. Alex J. Taylor is an Associate Professor in History of Art and Architecture at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the author of Forms of Persuasion: Art and Corporate Image in the 1960s (University of California Press, 2022). At Pitt, he has led student-curated exhibitions on Pittsburgh artists, including Virgil Cantini and Andrey Avinoff. In 2022, he curated Alone Together: Encounters in American Realism at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, an exhibit that included works by Henry Koerner.
Dr. Joseph Koerner is a son of Henry Koerner and chair of the Department of Art and Architecture at Harvard University, where he teaches the history of art and architecture from the late Middle Ages to the present, with a focus on Northern Renaissance art, Dutch seventeenth-century, European Romanticism, and German and Austrian Modernism.
Morris Grossman is a lifelong Pittsburgh resident and the owner of The Post-War Gallery in Point Breeze. A close family friend of artist Henry Koerner, Grossman grew up surrounded by Koerner’s work and has long championed his art. He produced the documentary Henry Koerner: Lost and Found, which explores the artist’s life and legacy.
Caroline Boyce is a preservationist and curator. Since purchasing the Koerner House in Squirrel Hill in 2021, she has worked to preserve Koerner’s artistic legacy in Pittsburgh and abroad.
