Finding Aid for the Fritz W. Albert photograph collection at the Chicago Historical Society

By CHS staff, December 2003

 

 

Main entry: Albert, Fritz W. (Fritz Wilheim), 1865-1940

Title: Fritz W. Albert photograph collection.

Span dates: [ca. 1895-1935]

Size & Call number:

2003.0114 PPL:

49 photographic prints : b&w. ; 10 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. and smaller.

2003.0114 PCLF:

4 photographic prints : col. ; 5 x 7 in. and smaller.

3 phototransparencies : slide, col. ; 35 mm.

CHS accession number: 2003.0114

Restriction: Advance appointment required to view color materials in cold storage.

 

Description of the collection

Portraits of Chicago terra cotta artist and designer Fritz Wilheim Albert and views of his work in his studio and in his sculpture garden in the yard of his apartment building on Sherwood Terrace (later renamed Cuyler Street), views of his apartment building, views of him in the sculpture garden and of him working on a terra cotta frieze. Albert worked for both the American Terra Cotta and Ceramic Company and the Northwestern Terra Cotta Company over the years.

 

Notes:

Finding Aids: Item list available.

Finding aid available online: http://chsmedia.org/media/fa/finding_aids/2003/ph2003-114.htm

 

Provenance:

Gift of Charles R. Steers (2003.0114).

 

Catalog headings:

The following headings for this collection have been entered in the online catalog.

Subjects:

Albert, Fritz W. (Fritz Wilheim), 1865-1940

American Terra Cotta Company (Terra Cotta, Ill.)

Northwestern Terra Cotta Company

Decoration and ornament, Architectural--Illinois--Chicago.

Designers--Illinois--Chicago.

Garden ornaments and statuary--Illinois--Chicago--20th century.

Terra-cotta--Illinois--Chicago.

Chicago (Ill.)--Buildings, structures, etc.

Genre:

Photographic prints--Color.

Slides--Color.

 

Item list:

Photographic prints (black & white) unless otherwise labeled:

Item number / Size          Subject

1. 3.5 x 5 in. front view of a dollhouse sized house in garden.

2. 3.5 x 5 in. three-quarter view of a dollhouse sized house in garden.

3. 3.5 x 5 in. side view showing a waterwheel on dollhouse sized house in garden.

4. 9.5 x 7.5 in. Fritz Albert sculpture garden with pond and water lilies in foreground

5. 9.5 x 7.5 in. west facade, side yard of 1420 Sherwood Terrace (now Cuyler) with ivy on building.

6. 9.5 x 7.5 in. east façade and side yard of 1420 Sherwood Terrace (now Cuyler)

7. 9.5 x 7.5 in. two floor apartment building that Fritz Albert lived in.

8. 9.5 x 7.5 in. neo-classical sculpture of female figure in lush foliage.

9. 9.5 x 7.5 in. neo-classical sculpture of female figure in lush foliage with water lilies and pond in foreground.

10. 9.5 x 7.5 in. woman seated on bench in Fritz Albert Sculpture garden.

11. 6.5 x 4.5 in. Frtz Albert in profile.

12. 7 x 5 in. Fritz Albert facing camera.

13. 1 half-tone printing plate (paper) of photograph: 10.5 x 7 in. Portrait of Albert

14. 1 half-tone printing plate (paper) of photograph: 7 x 9 in.: Albert standing in front of fountain in garden.

15. 3x5 x 4.5 in. Albert working on Terra Cotta Frieze, seen from behind.

16. 8 x 10 in. Modeling Room, Northwestern Terra Cotta Company

17. 6 x 8 in. Photographic reproduction of biblical painting.

18. 9.5 x 8 in. round terra cotta ornament of Egyptian male bust surrounded by hieroglyphic characters

19. 8 x 10 in. terra cotta frieze with scene of Egyptian woman surrounded by servants.

20. 9.5 x 7.5 in. large terra cotta vase in workroom (with neoclassical figures)

21. 9 x 7 in. terra cotta vase with neoclassical figures (black background)

22. 9.5 x 7 in. terra cotta sculpture of female figure seated on a Centaur's back with bunches of grapes (body of Centaur on foreground)

23. 9.5 x 7 in. terra cotta sculpture of female figure seated on a Centaur's back with bunches of grapes (body of female figure in foreground)

24. 9.5 x 7 in. terra cotta sculpture of female figure seated on a Centaur's back with bunches of grapes (rear view)

25. 10 x 8 in. terra cotta vase in workroom (in front of curtain) with neoclassical battle scene.

26. 9.5 x 7.5 in. terra cotta vase in workroom with neoclassical battle scene.

27. 8 x 4.5 in. terra cotta sculpture with two cherubs blowing horns.

28. 9 x 7 in. terra cotta sculpture of female figure seated on a Centaur's back with bunches of grapes (front view)

29. 8 x 10 in. fountain in garden with two nude female figures in center.

30. 7 x 9.5 in. large ornamental alter/mantle (?) with Winged Victory-type figure.

31. 7.5 x 6 in. neo-gothic altarpiece (?) of three angels

32. 7 x 9 in. terra cotta angels facing each other.

33. 10.5 x 8 in. terra cotta sculpture of horses galloping and woman

34. 10.5 x 8 in. terra cotta sculpture of horses galloping and woman (side view)

35. 7 x 9 in. terra cotta crest with flanking lions

36. 10 x 4 in. rear view of terra cotta Egyptian female figure

37. 10 x 4 in.three-fourths view of terra cotta Egyptian female figure holding bowl

38. 10x 4 in. frieze with neoclassical female figures carrying gifts (vases, grapes, goats)

39. 8 x 4 in. terra cotta female figure with wings

40. 8 x 4 in. terra cotta female figure with wings (side view)

41.5 x 3.5 in. sculpture in garden of seated female figure (right side)

42. 6.5 x 5 in. sculpture in garden of seated female figure (right side)

43. 6.5 x 5 in. sculpture in garden of seated female figure (left side)

44. 6.5 x 5 in. sculpture in garden of seated female figure (right side)

45. 5 x 8 in. sculpture of woman flanked by children

46. 9 x 3 in. terra cotta sculpture of female Egyptian figure carrying bowl

47. 9 x 4 in. terra cotta sculpture of female Egyptian figure carrying bowl

48. 9 x 2 in. terra cotta sculpture of female Egyptian figure carrying bowl (3/4 view)

49. 9 x 2 in. terra cotta sculpture of female Egyptian figure carrying bowl (rear view with writing)

 

Photographs (color):

50. Color slide of sculpture of lion and cubs

51. Color slide of sculpture of lion and cubs (close up)

52. Color slide of Albert’s signature in terra cotta)

53. Color photographic print; 5 x 7 in. Print of slide (#50)

54. Color photographic print; 5 x 7 in. Print of slide (#51)

55. Color photographic print; 5 x 7 in. Print of slide (#52)

56. Color photographic print of sculpture with female figure: 4 x 6 in.