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

Amelia Earhardt and Abby Sutherland Brown of Ogontz College

While this is a bit off-topic, it is an interesting side item. While seeking the possible location of Francis Quirk's portrait of Carl Sandburg, we conducted a search on information related to Abby Sutherland Brown. She was the primary force driving Ogontz College and commissioned the portrait of her friend, Sandburg. 

Carl Sandburg (January 6, 1878 – July 22, 1967) was an American poet, writer, and editor who won three Pulitzer Prizes: two for his poetry and one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln. During his lifetime, Sandburg was widely regarded as "a major figure in contemporary literature", especially for volumes of his collected verse, including Chicago Poems (1916), Cornhuskers (1918), and Smoke and Steel (1920).


The main Sandburg portrait we found is the work of William Smith from 1961. It is not the work of Francis J. Quirk.

Portrait of Carl Sandburg by William Smith

In a Dictionary of Literary Influences we came across this write up of Ogontz College student Amelia Earhart and her relationship with Abby. 

You can find the original text of the book here.