Allentown in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Metallurgical Worker (The Puddler), 1902-03
Bronze, Gift of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, 1982 (1982.02.8)
— Jean-Léon-Gérôme, French, 1824-1904 —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 3, 2020
1. Metallurgical Worker (The Puddler), 1902-03 Marker
Inscription.
Metallurgical Worker (The Puddler), 1902-03. Bronze, Gift of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, 1982 (1982.02.8). In 1903 steel magnate Charles Schwab paid for a steelworker from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to travel to Paris and model for Metallurgical Worker, commissioned from the renowned artist Jean-Léon-Gérôme. This bronze sculpture is one of a pair glorifying the steel industry that Schwab installed in the art gallery of his grand new home on Riverside Drive in New York City. Metallurgical Worker was intended to represent the knowledge gained through traditional, hands-on methods. The dangerous job of the puddler, who sirred molten metal in a large furnace, required both strength and the skill derived from experience.
In 1903 steel magnate Charles Schwab paid for a steelworker from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to travel to Paris and model for Metallurgical Worker, commissioned from the renowned artist Jean-Léon-Gérôme. This bronze sculpture is one of a pair glorifying the steel industry that Schwab installed in the art gallery of his grand new home on Riverside Drive in New York City. Metallurgical Worker was intended to represent the knowledge gained through traditional, hands-on methods. The dangerous job of the puddler, who sirred molten metal in a large furnace, required both strength and the skill derived from experience.
Erected by Allentown Art Museum of the Lehigh Valley.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 40° 36.251′ N, 75° 28.126′ W. Marker is in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. Marker can be reached from 5th Street just south of Linden Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker and sculpture are in Arts Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24-32 North 5th Street, Allentown PA 18101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 3, 2020
2. Metallurgical Worker (The Puddler), 1902-03 Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., November 26, 2021
3. Metallurgical Worker (The Puddler) Sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 407 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 7, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on November 27, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
