Tours of the Wharton Esherick Museum typically tell the story of the “dean of American craftsmen” and showcase the stunning work of this master artist. Esherick’s rich cultural life, however, also included several long-time friendships with acclaimed contemporary writers. For the first time ever, the Wharton Esherick Museum will reveal these personal relationships in full.
In this unique tour, we share rarely seen letters, photographs, and other personal artifacts relating to Esherick’s literary friendships. We also explore inscriptions, marginalia, sketches, and other surprises inside the nearly 600 volumes of his personal library.
Join us to learn about Wharton’s close connections to such literary figures as Sherwood Anderson, Theodore Dreiser, Ford Madox Ford, and Jean Toomer, while also examining Esherick’s abiding affinities for Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman. This is an intimate view of Esherick’s life you will not want to miss.
Admission: $20 for Non-Members / $5 for Members
Please note: Tickets are limited and payment is required at the time of reservation.
This program is offered in partnership with Whitman at 200: Art and Democracy. This yearlong series of cultural events, organized by the University of Pennsylvania Libraries, marks Whitman’s 200th birthday in 2019. It examines his connection to the Philly area and his relevance today.
If you do not see this event at the link above, be sure to change the date range at the top to include June 9 or July 7.