Collection of the University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA. Gift of The Gimbel Brothers, Inc.
1959.GIMBEL.43
Car Hoist
1947 (Date created)
October 1 1947 (Date published)
October 1 1947 (Date published)
Oil
Painting
Paintings
52.5 in W
x
42.5 in H
(Frame)
40 in W x 30.25 in H (Image)
40 in W x 30.25 in H (Image)
American
Interior coal mine scene of track where mined coal is loaded onto gondola cars, with miner on the right.
"Coal is mined at faces which are off shoots of some main corridor. It is blasted loose, or mined with pick and shovel and carried by shaker conveyors to the main mine corridors where it is loaded on little gondola cars running on a narrow gauge railroad. On this track the cars are drawn along the corridors by electric or live mules to a main mine shaft where they are hoisted to a higher level." (D. Grafty, "Pennsylvania as Artists See it: The Gimbel PA Art Collection", 1948)
"Car Hoist presents a typified image of life within the confines of the steel industry. The central figure has just completed moving coal to a small gondola, used for moving coal. There are two divergent paths: the strong diagonal rail is responsible for the coal, and a path that leads away from the coal, into the light. The figure's face is not visible to the viewer. He is walking down the divergent path away from the coal. A visually striking composition works in conjunction with a dark color palate to highlight the overall monotony of the steel industry on the workers who kept the industry functioning. One can view the coal miner as being dehumanized by his facelessness, making him part of a machine that allows the mine to function, or part of the machine that is the mine itself. One an also view the facelessness of the coal miner as a portrayal of the "everyman" - relatable to all, especially during the time period when Car Hoist was painted. Car Hoist serves as a reminder of Pittsburgh's past that was dominated by industry,
"Car Hoist presents a typified image of life within the confines of the steel industry. The central figure has just completed moving coal to a small gondola, used for moving coal. There are two divergent paths: the strong diagonal rail is responsible for the coal, and a path that leads away from the coal, into the light. The figure's face is not visible to the viewer. He is walking down the divergent path away from the coal. A visually striking composition works in conjunction with a dark color palate to highlight the overall monotony of the steel industry on the workers who kept the industry functioning. One can view the coal miner as being dehumanized by his facelessness, making him part of a machine that allows the mine to function, or part of the machine that is the mine itself. One an also view the facelessness of the coal miner as a portrayal of the "everyman" - relatable to all, especially during the time period when Car Hoist was painted. Car Hoist serves as a reminder of Pittsburgh's past that was dominated by industry,
In Collection
ca. 1959, University Art Gallery Gift of Mr. Steve Osterweis, President of Gimbel Brothers, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.
ca. 1946-1959, Gimbel Brothers, Inc.
ca. 1946-1959, Gimbel Brothers, Inc.
Catalog of October 1, 1947 (first publication of the paintings)
D. Grafty, "Pennsylvania as Artists See it: The Gimbel PA Art Collection", 1948
R. Gigler, "Pittsburgh's Man of Steel", Pittsburgh Press Roto, August 12, 1979.
O. Francis, "The Saga of Joe Magarac Steelman", Scribner's Magazine, nov. 1931.
Roy Kahn, "Real Pittsburgh: Just an Average Joe", Pittsburgh Magazine, nov. 1985, 17-18.
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Feb. 25, 1948
John Oliver La Gorce, "Artists Look At Pennsylvania", National Geographic Magazine
Catalogue from March 1959 when the collection was presented at the new University Student Union at Pitt (formerly Schenley Hotel).
D. Grafty, "Pennsylvania as Artists See it: The Gimbel PA Art Collection", 1948
R. Gigler, "Pittsburgh's Man of Steel", Pittsburgh Press Roto, August 12, 1979.
O. Francis, "The Saga of Joe Magarac Steelman", Scribner's Magazine, nov. 1931.
Roy Kahn, "Real Pittsburgh: Just an Average Joe", Pittsburgh Magazine, nov. 1985, 17-18.
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Feb. 25, 1948
John Oliver La Gorce, "Artists Look At Pennsylvania", National Geographic Magazine
Catalogue from March 1959 when the collection was presented at the new University Student Union at Pitt (formerly Schenley Hotel).
Please note that cataloging is ongoing and that some information may not be complete.
Corporate commissions
Western Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh
Industry
Social
Western Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh
Industry
Social