New Bio Offers More Details and Clues to Finding More Quirk Works

We recently found this bio of Francis Quirk on line at prabook.com. it was interesting in that it provided some details on his wife, daughter, other awards and possible locations for his paintings.

There were a couple of errors that we have corrected in the text below.

Francis Joseph Quirk

artist, educator

Francis Joseph Quirk, American artist, educator. Recipient Chassey Memorial Benedict award; Tiffany Foundation fellow; Judges award Ocean Park, 1956; Old Orchard award, 1962; Lindback award distinguished teaching, 1965; Ossabaw Island Project grantee, 1968, fellow, 1972. Member Kinney Shores Association (president), Sigma Phi Epsilon (honorary life).

Background

Quirk, Francis Joseph was born on June 3, 1907 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States. Son of Edward R. and Anne (O’Neill) Quirk.

Education

• Diploma Rhode Island School Design, 1929, postgraduate, 1930. Postgraduate University of Pennsylvania, 1941-1942. Studied in Provincetown, Massachusetts, and Woodstock, New York, also France and Italy.

Career

• Montgomery School, 1930-1935. Professor art history, drawing and painting Ogontz College, 1935-1940, co-head art department, 1940-1950. Professor contemporary perspective-painting Hussian Art School, Philadelphia, 1948-1950.
  
  Department chairman fine arts Lehigh University, 1950-1970, professor, 1952-1970, curator permanent collections, director exhbns., since 1970. Television programs These Our Own, station WFIL-television, Philadelphia, Art as We See It, station WGPA, 1955-1961. Works exhibited nat. shows: represented permanent collection Lehigh University, U. Massachusetts, Colby College, Wilson College, Allentown College, Kraushaar College, Parker College, Ships Museum, Savannah, Canton Institute of Art Stroudsburg Hospital, Bethlehem City Center, Deiruff High School, Allentown, Pennsylvania, Georgia Museum Art, Notre Dame U. Art Gallery, Smithsonian Institution other public, private collections.
  
  Portraits displayed City Hall, Litzenberger House, Bethlehem, American Consulate, Zurich, Switzerland, others. Board advisers Architectural Commission, Bethlehem. Chairman fine arts, architecture coms.
  
  City Centre.

Religion

Denomination: Roman Catholic

Membership

Member Kinney Shoes Association (president), Sigma Phi Epsilon (honorary life).

Connections

• Married Anna F. Feeley, Sept 12, 1936. Children: James R., Ada-Lee A. Head art department.
• father: Edward R. Quirk
• mother: Anne (O’Neill) Quirk
• spouse: Anna F. Feeley
• children:James R. Quirk
• Ada-Lee A. Head art department Quirk

Francis Quirk at Center of Lehigh University Sculpture Controversy

We came across this article discussing a minor controversy regarding a donated sculpture's placement at Lehigh University in a 1951 issue of the Brown and White.

Quirk is both well-spoken and has a healthy edginess in this tongue in cheek piece.

Courtesy of Brown and White Lehigh University Library Archives

Courtesy of Brown and White Lehigh University Library Archives

November 2017- As we have been engaged in a more thorough review of the Brown and White Files and their mentions of Francis Quirk, we have uncovered yet another reference to this controversy.  It includes a Letter to the Editor by Professor Quirk.  We have pasted it below for completeness. 

Courtesy of Brown and White Lehigh University Library Archives

Quirk Publishes Humorous Newspaper at Rhode Island School of Design

While attending the Rhode Island School of Design Francis Quirk was part of a short lived humorous newspaper known as the Salamander. There were two names listed as publishers, the other being Earl L. Shoemaker.  To see the original work you can visit this link.

Inside they have stories jokes, and even a slightly mocking discussion of Modernism. We liked the line drawn illustrations, however they are not attributed to the artist, so we cannot determine whether they are the work of Quirk or one of his classmates.  Below is the cover of a Christmas edition that contains a rather creative drawing of Santa on a Salamander.

Cover of the Salamander Courtesy of Digital Commons at RISD

It should be noted that Quirk is one of many excellent artists that emerged from the RISD crucible of creativity. Others include Julia Jacquette and musical artist David Byrne of the Talking Heads.

RISD Alum David Byrne

Quirk Arrives at Lehigh

In searching through the archives of Lehigh University's student newspaper, The Brown and White, we came across this article from Quirk's first year. It provides a brief background and mentions two children. (I had only recently learned of one.)

It mentions an exhibit of his work including pastels, portraits and fishing scenes from Maine.

The house currently listed as 1814 Homestead Avenue Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is pictured below. It was built in 1949-50.

Bethlehem Home of Francis and Anna Quirk

Photos of Francis Quirk and Various Paintings

Through the Lehigh University Photographic Collection we have found several pictures of Francis Quirk discussing various paintings. We have not been able to identify the paintings.

A younger Francis Quirk (1950?) with unknown gentleman. Courtesy of a Lehigh University Photographic Collection

 The photo below in one reference describes the woman as being his wife.

 Francis Quirk showing a painting to a woman (his wife Anna?) and Ralph L. Wilson Courtesy of a Lehigh University Photographic Collection

Below is another painting of Quirk with Ralph L. Wilson. Again, we do not have details on the painting. Ralph was a significant donor to Lehigh's Art Museum and donated a Warhol in 1975.

Francis Quirk discussing a painting with philanthropist Ralph L. Wilson   Courtesy of a Lehigh University Photographic Collection

Quirk Dedicating Sculpture

In the Photographic archives at Lehigh University we found this photo of Quirk dedicating a new sculpture in Maginnes Hall, which is the Fine Arts Building.  The Hall was opened in 1971 and once housed the University Bookstore.

We do not know details on the sculpture yet.  With the picture is the following text.  

Quirk, Francis J.; Kelly, J.J.; Franz, Paul J., Jr.; Yates, W. Ross (Willard Ross) / Maginnes Hall / Fine Arts

Willard Ross Yates was a Dean who wrote a history of Lehigh.
Franz was in Development for the University 

The dedication for the College of Arts and Science is interesting. It reads: Albert Bristol Maginnes "Alumnus and Trustee of Lehigh University, he excelled in many fields: the law, athletics, music and the fine arts. His life was one of integrity and service; his love of man, his gentleness and warmth of personality enriched those whose lives he touched. He enabled many men to come to Lehigh University; he advised them to the life of inquiry and truth which was his own." Mr. Maginnes was the Class of 1921.

Below is an exterior shot of Maginnes Hall from the 1970's.

Quirk at Work

Through the photo archives at Lehigh University we were able to get some pictures of the master painter at work and various events around campus.  The first shows Quirk at work in1973 painting Mr. George Fearnside Jr.. A photo of the final result is below.

Francis Quirk painting Mr. Fearnside in 1972  Courtesy of Lehigh University Photographic Archives

Below are several photos of him at the 1973 exhibition of his work at Lehigh University.

Francis J. Quirk speaking at the 1973 exhibit of his work. Courtesy of Lehigh University Photographic Archives

Francis J. Quirk discussing a few of his paintings at the 1973 exhibit of his work. Courtesy of Lehigh University Photographic Archives