Theodor Frick, Porkpacker, Richmond, Va.187841 x 42 1/8 "
Frame: 46 x 47 1/2 x 3 1/4 "Oil on canvasGift of Ralph Esmerian2005.8.160Painting of pork factory with multiple houses, each labeled, Frick wagons across bottom, with family houses; RS with black couple in yard, laundry, looking over into next yard, children playing, quilts hanging on laundry line with confederate flag, red cross on white quilt, striped quilts. Buildings labeled Miet Haus, Kiche, Ruchen, Schlact Haus, Wohn Haus, Eis Haus, Salz & Pack Haus, Steinkohler, Kuche Wurstlocal, Pferde kraft Dampf kraft, Sstallung, Wagen Haus, Kopel Haus1545433385P1.2001.067Carl W. HambuchPaintingsThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain.Across bottom: Carl W. Hambuch 1878. July 8 (LLS); in cartouche: ESTABLISHED 1851 Across top caps, red shadow, gold letters: THEODOR FRICK PORKPACKER, RICHMOND, VA. Small caps: Brook Avenue and 6th Street Nro 307 & 309RichmondRichmondUnited StatesVirginiaPaintingsRichmondoil on canvaspaintingThe legend on this painting indicates that by 1851, German immigrant Theodor Frick (1830–1881) was living in Richmond, Virginia, and had already established his butcher business. But it was not until 1878 and the end of the Reconstruction period that Frick, who had fought in and survived the Civil War, commissioned a fellow German to document his house and properties. Carl Hambuch arrived in New York City aboard the C. F. Funch in 1874, and is listed as an artist in the Richmond City Directory of 1877. According to family tradition, Hambuch achieved the painting’s elevated bird’s-eye view from the roof of a house across the street. This perspective, emphasizing individual buildings, was instituted after the war, when it became popular to publish detailed views of cities, hamlets, industrial complexes, and other scenes of progress.
The proud family stands on the sidewalk in front of their residence. Behind the handsome facade, Hambuch has documented the working buildings that extend deep into the property, with hayfields beyond. Each “haus” is marked with its function, from butchering to salting to packing. Away from the main house several tiny African American figures converse, work, and play in yards filled with lines of hanging laundry that includes a Confederate flag quilt. The skilled hand-lettered legend suggests Hambuch may have worked as a sign painter. It also shares a sensibility with the Pennsylvania almshouse paintings on zinc panels that were painted by German immigrant artists who were dwelling within during periods of insolvency or inebriety. Hambuch himself died under such circumstances in the Richmond city almshouse one year after this work was made.
Stacy C. Hollander, “Theodor Frick, Porkpacker, Richmond, Va.,” exhibition label for Self-Taught Genius: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum. Stacy C. Hollander and Valérie Rousseau, curators. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2014.
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgP1.2001.06718781878 2005 8 16 oil on canvaspaintingThe legend on this painting indicates that by 1851, German immigrant Theodor Frick (1830–1881) was living in Richmond, Virginia, and had already established his butcher business. But it was not until 1878 and the end of the Reconstruction period that Frick, who had fought in and survived the Civil War, commissioned a fellow German to document his house and properties. Carl Hambuch arrived in New York City aboard the C. F. Funch in 1874, and is listed as an artist in the Richmond City Directory of 1877. According to family tradition, Hambuch achieved the painting’s elevated bird’s-eye view from the roof of a house across the street. This perspective, emphasizing individual buildings, was instituted after the war, when it became popular to publish detailed views of cities, hamlets, industrial complexes, and other scenes of progress.
The proud family stands on the sidewalk in front of their residence. Behind the handsome facade, Hambuch has documented the working buildings that extend deep into the property, with hayfields beyond. Each “haus” is marked with its function, from butchering to salting to packing. Away from the main house several tiny African American figures converse, work, and play in yards filled with lines of hanging laundry that includes a Confederate flag quilt. The skilled hand-lettered legend suggests Hambuch may have worked as a sign painter. It also shares a sensibility with the Pennsylvania almshouse paintings on zinc panels that were painted by German immigrant artists who were dwelling within during periods of insolvency or inebriety. Hambuch himself died under such circumstances in the Richmond city almshouse one year after this work was made.
Stacy C. Hollander, “Theodor Frick, Porkpacker, Richmond, Va.,” exhibition label for Self-Taught Genius: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum. Stacy C. Hollander and Valérie Rousseau, curators. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2014.
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org