Francis Quirk's Art Documents the Pennsylvania Coal Mines

Among the Quirk works on paper auctioned at the September 2016, Maine auction were a couple of well executed charcoal drawings of coal miners. They may have been illustrations to accompany a short story or novel. One attractive feature of the drawings is that they both convey a scene. The first may be of a miner avoiding potential hostile co-workers.

Charcoal Drawing Leaving the Coal Mine by Francis Quirk

Charcoal Sketch of the group of miners on the back of Leaving the Coal Mine by Francis Quirk

The second image could illustrate the moment when the miners hear an alarm siren. They are looking up from their tasks without the look of relief or joy that would accompany a quitting time signal. Instead they seem taught and concerned. Perhaps they are hearing the rumblings of a cave in?

Charcoal Drawing of Miners by Francis J. Quirk

Francis Quirk’s Anatomical Drawings at the Rhode Island School of Design

In addition to being adept at working in oil, pastel and watercolor; Francis Quirk had a skillful hand for pencil drawing.  Among the works on paper at the Maine sale of items from his estate were a number of pencil drawings. These may have been executed while he was studying at the Rhode Island School of Design from which he graduated in 1929.

We have pasted in images of the works below. Among the more interesting pieces was the one which highlights the muscle groups and anatomy. 

Anatomical Drawing Executed by Francis J. Quirk possibly at the Rhode Island School of Design

Anatomical Drawing Executed by Francis J. Quirk possibly at the Rhode Island School of Design

Anatomical Drawing Executed by Francis J. Quirk possibly at the Rhode Island School of Design

Anatomical Drawing Executed by Francis J. Quirk possibly at the Rhode Island School of Design

Anatomical Drawing Executed by Francis J. Quirk possibly at the Rhode Island School of Design

Anatomical Drawing Executed by Francis J. Quirk possibly at the Rhode Island School of Design

Anatomical Drawing Executed by Francis J. Quirk possibly at the Rhode Island School of Design

Anatomical Drawing Executed by Francis J. Quirk possibly at the Rhode Island School of Design

Anatomical Drawing Executed by Francis J. Quirk possibly at the Rhode Island School of Design

Francis Quirk Exhibits at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

We had the opportunity to closely examine the painting below which was offered for sale at the September Maine auction of items from the Quirk estate. 

Portrait exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts by Francis J. Quirk

We believe it depicts Francis and his wife Anna attending some type of event. We suspect it was a wedding,concert or reading of some type as both are holding leaflets or programs. Like many portraits it features the two decked out in their finest clothes. Anna rests on a coat with a fur collar wearing a silk blouse, stylish hat, and fine shoes. Francis wears a blue suit in a shade close to Anna’s dress. dress. The painting signature is dated 1940 when Quirk would have been 33 years old. 

Signature of Francis J. Quirk 1940

In examining the reverse of the painting we noticed two interesting labels.  The first is an exhibition label from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a museum and art school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1805 and is the first and oldest art museum and art school in the United States. The academy's museum is internationally known for its collections of 19th- and 20th-century American paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. Its archives house important materials for the study of American art history, museums, and art training. The famous Philadelphia painter Thomas Eakins volunteered there as a teacher. 

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition Label on Francis Quirk painting

 In checking the Academy website, we found this exhibition that matches the dates on the label.    

Oil Painting and Sculpture by Artists of Philadelphia and Its Environs
April 13 - May 12, 1940 

We are in the process of seeking out images from the catalog.

There also was  a restoration label. from Hiram H. Hoelzer, Inc.  The company is an art restoration company that was most recently located in Greenwich, Connecticut, but may no longer be active.  The back of the painting showed no obvious tears or repairs so we are curious as to the tie with this painting. 

Label on back of Francis Quirk painting  Hiram H. Hoelzer Inc.  Restorer of Paintings

Francis Quirk Draws the War

Francis Quirk lived through an exciting era in our history. Born in 1907, he saw World War I, the Great Depression and then World War II. We have found no particular record of his activity in WWII. He would have been around 34 at its outbreak.

He was not untouched by the conflict as the recent auction of a large number of his works include several ink drawings of soldiers. One is signed '42, so they were executed when the fighting was heavy.

Francis Quirk ink drawing of World War II Soldiers

These are the only pen and ink drawings we have found by Quirk. In addition to the ink lines, he also used some type of wash for shadows and adding value. This may indicate that he used the medium for a particular purpose; perhaps as part of developing an illustration. At this time we can only pontificate and ponder the possibilities.

Francis Quirk ink drawing of World War II Soldiers Advancing

Francis Quirk ink drawing of World War II Soldiers with Communications Man

Francis J. Quirk Signature