Plaque
Object number2008.114.1
Artist
Joseph Nicolosi
Manufacturer
James H. Matthews and Company
Datec. 1927
OriginPittsburgh, PA
MediumWood; Bronze; Metal
Credit LineGift of Ruth O. Frank
DescriptionRectangular wooden plaque with bronze plate on front. Embossed on plate: image of man with mustache wearing suit; embossed at bottom is name, year, and quote. Back: handwritten in ink at top center is owner information; upper center has birthdate handwritten in black marker. Two thick metal loops for hanging. Dimensions18.5 x 16.125 x 1.5 in. (47 x 41 x 3.8 cm)SignedHand-engraved signature: "J. NICOLOSI SC."
InscriptionsFront has embossed text at bottom, "Isaacoff Frank / 1927 "IT IS A WORK OF LOVE" ".
Back has handwritten in ink at top center, "PROPERTY OF / J.A. FRANK / GIFT OF / COPPERWELD"; upper center, handwritten in black marker, "BORN / 12-2-1855".
MarksBack has plate at bottom center with text: "Memorial Bronze / DIVISION OF / JAS. H. MATTHEWS & CO. / PITTSBURGH, 26, PA."
Historical NotesBrass plaque of Isaac Frank. Frank was the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Copperweld Steel Company. The plaque was "presented by S.E. Bramer, President of Copperweld Steel Company, as a gift and token of appreciation for the assistance, supervision, and untiring amount of labor that Mr. I.W. Frank, as Chairman of the Executive Committee, had given President Bramer personally as well as to the Copperweld Steel Company." [from Copperweld Steel Co. Minute book, Nov. 16, 1927. See file for copy of original.] Artist Joseph Nicolosi was born in Italy in 1893. He was a sculptor who did a number of local artworks including the Doughboy in Aliquippa. He was also commissioned to do a statue of Ava Gardner for the film "One Touch of Venus," which he made as a nude to represent the classical style; unfortunately, it was too risqué for Universal Studios, which made him redo the statue with a dress. Nicolosi died in Los Angeles, CA, in 1961.
Related institution
Copperweld Steel Company
Related person
Isaac W. Frank
(1855 - 1930)
Previous owner
J. A. Frank
Subjects
On View
Not on view
