Taming the Beast
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 humour. 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 humour 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.
Jeannine Falino is an independent curator of craft, design, and American culture, with extensive publications and exhibitions to her credit. Her scholarly publications include a volume on American silver at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and essays on 20th century jewellers and metalsmiths.