Taming the Beast: Silver by Earl Krentzin

Earl Krentzin was a virtuoso silversmith who created whimsical theatrical settings in silver with a wry humor, having more in common with 16th-century goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini than with his 20th-century peers. This first full-scale monograph on the artist offers a breadth of his engaging creations, based on his love of toys, movement, and the mechanical arts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Arnoldsche

Earl Krentzin (1929–2021) was a virtuoso silversmith who poured his considerable talents into figurative sculpture, creating whimsical theatrical settings in silver with a wry humor. He was an anomaly in the world of modern craft, having more in common with the 16th-century goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini than with his 20th-century peers. This first full-scale monograph on the artist offers the breadth of Krentzin's engaging creations, which he based on his love of toys, movement, and the mechanical arts. Readers will find humor and pathos in his theatrical settings and verisimilitude in every tiny detail, set amidst the burgeoning crafts scene in Detroit. All will discover a modern master who used amusements and daydreams to unlock the imagination.

Krentzin's work was characterized by a playful and imaginative approach to sculpture, often incorporating elements of humor and fantasy into his pieces. He was particularly skilled in working with silver, using it to create intricate and detailed sculptures that were both visually striking and technically impressive.

One of the defining features of Krentzin's work was his use of theatrical settings. He created whimsical and imaginative worlds in his sculptures, often using everyday objects and toys as inspiration. His pieces were often set in fantastical landscapes, with buildings and structures that seemed to defy gravity and logic.

Krentzin's work also reflected his interest in the mechanical arts. He was skilled in working with metal and machinery, and often incorporated these elements into his sculptures. His pieces were often characterized by a sense of movement and motion, with pieces that seemed to be in perpetual motion or in the process of transformation.

Despite his success as a silversmith, Krentzin remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He was a lifelong learner, constantly exploring new techniques and materials and pushing the boundaries of what was possible in sculpture.

Krentzin's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and he has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the field of sculpture. He is considered a pioneer in the field of contemporary sculpture, and his legacy will continue to inspire and influence artists for generations to come.

In conclusion, Earl Krentzin was a virtuoso silversmith who poured his considerable talents into figurative sculpture, creating whimsical.
whimsical theatrical settings in silver with a wry humor. He was an anomaly in the world of modern craft, having more in common with the 16th-century goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini than with his 20th-century peers. This first full-scale monograph on the artist offers the breadth of Krentzin's engaging creations, which he based on his love of toys, movement, and the mechanical arts. Readers will find humor and pathos in his theatrical settings and verisimilitude in every tiny detail, set amidst the burgeoning crafts scene in Detroit. All will discover a modern master who used amusements and daydreams to unlock the imagination.

Weight: 670g
Dimension: 245 x 175 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783897906488