Images(4)

Portrait of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Object number2013.2.3

Artist Andrew H. Pendro Jr.

Date1969

MediumShell/Paint/Paper/Metal/Satin

Credit LineGift of Marya Pendro-Thomson

DescriptionHandpainted portrait of Our Lady of Czestochowa on an unbroken eggshell. A purple ribbon is tied through holes on top and bottom of the egg; ribbon is attached to top underside of a decorative box. The egg itself rests in a beige satin cushion. The box opens on a hinge, and is covered in a pattern of blue birds and green foliage.Dimensions6.125 x 3.875 x 6.5 in. (15.6 x 9.8 x 16.5 cm)
SignedHandwritten on opposite side of painting: "PENDRO / PINDROCH / 1969".
Historical NotesOur Lady of Czestochowa pysanky egg made by donor Marya Pendro-Thomson's father Andrew Pendro, Jr., a talented and prolific artist. Besides his artistic job at Hornes he made many pieces for family and friends, many of which referenced his Bzyantive heritage and faith. Part of a collection relating to the Pendro family. The Pendro family immigrated to New York City in the late 1800s from Austria-Hungary, though the family was primarily of Carpatho-Rusyn and Russian descent. They settled in the Pittsburgh area around 1890, after hearing that there were jobs in the area. The family formed close ties with several institutions in the region most notably the Edgar Thomson Steel Mill and Joseph Horne Company. Shortly after arriving in Pittsburgh, George Pendro began working at the Edgar Thomson Steel Mill. Several other family members worked at the mill including George’s son Andrew, Andrew’s wife Lucy, and Lucy’s father Andrew Wagner. The family also had close ties to the Joseph Horne Company department store. Frank Wagner, Andrew Wagner’s father worked as a boot maker for Horne’s after emigrating from Germany in 1843. Many family members would later work for the company, most notably his great-grandson Andrew Pendro, Jr. who worked in the special events and sign departments from 1963-1981.

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