Elsa
Ulbricht (1885-1980) was a prominent figure in Wisconsin’s art world. Upon
completing her education she began as a teacher in Milwaukee. She became active
in local art circles, and in 1916 was one of the founders of the Wisconsin
Society of Applied Arts, today known as Wisconsin Craft Council. She began
spending summers at the Ox-Bow Art School in Saugatuck, Michigan. This was the
beginning of a lifelong association with the school, first as a student, later
as an instructor, and eventually as director. Still active in craft circles,
Ulbricht was teaching at Milwaukee State Teacher’s College in the early 1930’s.
At this time the national WPA program was just emerging and was looking to
develop a presence in Milwaukee. One of the requirements was that the program
needed a local sponsor. MSTC was selected as the sponsor, and that institution
asked Ulbricht to head the Milwaukee WPA Handicraft Project that went on to function
from 1935 to 1943 and employ thousands of women and men. It was a very
successful program and became a model for others throughout the country. It is
for this effort that Ulbricht is largely remembered today. More can be read
about Ulbricht in two books in particular---“German-American Artists in Early
Milwaukee “by Peter C. Merrill (1997), and also “Useful Work for Unskilled
Women” by Mary Kellogg Rice (2003).
Unfortunately,
Ulbricht is not as well remembered as a fine artist in her own right. She was a
member of The Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors, the leading artist group of the
day, and she exhibited often with that group. She also exhibited at the
Milwaukee Journal Gallery of Art, which functioned from 1924-1931, and also at
The Wisconsin Salon of Art, which sponsored exhibitions as the Memorial Union
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She worked in oil, watercolor, drawing,
and various kinds of printmaking, and I am sure she worked in various fine
crafts as well. Here are a few examples from my collection.
Elsa Ulbricht oil on canvas, untitled, no date, 12" x 16"
Elsa Ulbricht "Barn" 1935 lithograph, 7" x 9"
This print has an exhibition label from the 2nd annual Wisconsin Salon.
Elsa Ulbricht "Daisies" undated lithograph, 14" x 10"
Elsa Ulbricht "Fishing Tug" 1934 linocut, 8" x 9"
Elsa Ulbricht "Stalls, Scarlet Farm, Douglas, Mich" 1935 lithograph. 7" x 9"
This print has an exhibition label from The 2nd annual Wisconsin Salon.
I have seen another copy of this print with the title "Stables".
Elsa Ulbricht "Fish House" undated linocut, 9" x 7"
This print has an exhibition label from the Art Institute of Chicago (no date)
Elsa Ulbricht "Our Club" 1938 lithograph, 10" x 13"
The print was featured in the 1940 Wisconsin Artist Calendar.
Elsa Ulbricht "Back Stairs, Old Lighthouse, Saugatuck" 1934 linocut 10" x 8"
This print has a 1935 exhibition label from the Milwaukee Art Institute.
Elsa Ulbricht "Down By the Tracks" 1938 woodcut, 6" x 7"
The was used in one of the Wisconsin Art Calendars.
Elsa Ulbricht "The Boathouse" 1922 or 1932 etching 3" x 3"
Elsa Ulbricht "Boat Landing" 1927 color linocut, 4" x 6"
Elsa Ulbricht untitled, undated linocut 4" x 6"
The black and white version of the preceding print
Elsa Ulbricht "Old Wharf" 1935 lithograph 12" x 16"
Elsa Ulbricht "To Lucille" (not sure whether or not this is a title)
1940 lithograph 13" x 8"
Elsa Ulbricht "At the Ferry Store" 1937 lithograph 10" x 13"
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