Wisconsin Ore Freighter
Edmund Lewandowski (American, 1914–1998)
Wisconsin Ore Freighter, 1948
Oil on canvas
42 × 30 3/4 in. (106.68 × 78.11 cm)
Gift of Gimbel Bros. M1959.29
Photo credit: Larry Sanders
© Estate of Edmund Lewandowski
Wisconsin Ore Freighter, 1948
Oil on canvas
42 × 30 3/4 in. (106.68 × 78.11 cm)
Gift of Gimbel Bros. M1959.29
Photo credit: Larry Sanders
© Estate of Edmund Lewandowski
Currently on View
K117
K117
Wisconsin Ore Freighter celebrates the simple, colorful beauty of the working cargo vessels that shipped millions of tons of ore across the Great Lakes. The painting’s flat presentation and crisp lines emphasize the ship’s geometry and hard edges; the subject (particularly urban infrastructure such as bridges and factories) and its handling are characteristics of Precisionism, an early twentieth century style. A student at and later director of the Layton School of Art (the predecessor of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design), Lewandowski worked in a variety of media and created the mosaic mural on the western face of the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center.
Publication History
Buchanan, Mel. Lewandowski's Mosaic Mural at the Milwauke County War Memorial Center. Milwaukee Art Museum: Under the Wings, November 23, 2012. http://blog.mam.org/2012/11/23/lewandowskis-mosaic-on-the-milwaukee-war-memorial-center/.
Leeds, Dr. Valerie Ann. Edmund Lewandowski: Precisionism and Beyond. Flint, MI: Flint Institute of Arts, 2010, p. 80, fig. 26.
Milwaukee Art Museum. 100 Years of Wisconsin Art. Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Museum, 1988, p. 73, cat. 64, color illus. p. 73.
Goldstein, Rosalie, ed. Guide to the Permanent Collection. Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Museum, 1986, p. 186, b/w illus. p. 186.
Tsujimoto, Karen. Images of America: Precisionist Painting and Modern Photography. Seattle: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 1982, cat. 65, color illus. p. 56.
Gladfelter, David D. Fair Art Show Matures. Milwaukee Sentinel, August 14, 1965, pp. 30, 38, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Key, Donald. Art Center’s Paintings Travel to Many Shows. Milwaukee Journal, October 23, 1960, p. 81, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed September 24, 2025).
Walker Art Center. The Precisionist View in American Art. Minneapolis: Walker Art Center, 1960, pp. 39, 56, illus. p. 39.
Milwaukee Art Center. The Gimbel Art Collections Presented to the Milwaukee Art Center. Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Center, 1959, n.p., color illus. cover. (as Ore Freighter) [also color illus. in other Gimbel Art Collection catalogues]
Fish, Margaret. What's the Community Role? Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, January 18, 1959, p. 37, b/w illus., NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026). (as Ore Freighter)
Foley, Roy L. Gimbels to Share Paintings, January 2, 1955, p. 8, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Art Horizons Spread Far To Layton's Lewandowski. Milwaukee Sentinel Exta, September 12, 1954, pp. 72, 74, b/w illus., NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Fish, Margaret. Boggs Wins Top Award In Gimbel Art Contest. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, August 10, 1952, p. 1, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Gimbel Prize Awards Go to 22 Artists. Milwaukee Journal, August 10, 1952, p. 33, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Gimbel Contest for This Year Limited to Oils. Milwaukee Journal, March 30, 1952, p. 124, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Stover, Frances. Four of Gimbel Art Collections Hang Together. Milwaukee Journal, January 13, 1952, p. 97, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Milwaukee Sentinel. Art Horizons Spread Far to Layton's Lewandowski. (September 12, 1954): profile section, p. 1.
Stover, Frances. '51 Fair Offers Gallery Tours, Demonstrations. Milwaukee Journal, August 19, 1951, p. 103, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 31, 2026).
Milwaukee Torch Magazine's Cover by Lewandowski. Milwaukee Journal, May 21, 1950, p. 148, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 31, 2026). (as Ore Freighter)
Gimbel Lewandowski Paintings In Florida. Milwaukee Journal, January 15, 1950, p. 79, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Lewandowski Paintings Join Florida Tour. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, January 15, 1950, p. 35, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Artist Jury to Judge Gimbel Competition. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, June 12, 1949, p. 33, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
First Entries Received for Gimbel Collection. Milwaukee Journal, May 15, 1949, p. 104, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Gimbel Competition Offers $5,400 to Wisconsin Artists. Milwaukee Journal, April 10, 1949, p. 108, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
July 1 Deadline for Wisconsin Playground Art Competition. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, April 3, 1949, p. 25, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 31, 2026).
Gimbel Competition for 1949 Paintings Will Close July 1. Milwaukee Journal, January 16, 1949, p. 90, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Wisconsin Playground Art Entries Close July 1. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, January 16, 1949, p. 34, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
The Gimbel Collection. Milwaukee Journal, August 8, 1948, p. 88, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
"Wisconsin" as Seen by Wisconsin Artists. Milwaukee Journal, August 1, 1948, p. 133, b/w illus. NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Art Winners Are Honored. Milwaukee Journal, July 14, 1948, p. 29, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Fish, Margaret. Awards to Artists. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, July 14, 1948, p. 13, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Gimbels Art Winners Told. Milwaukee Sentinel, July 11, 1948, p. 3, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Here Are Three Best Paintings in Gimbel Show. Milwaukee Sentinel, July 11, 1948, p. 38, b/w illus., NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Leeds, Dr. Valerie Ann. Edmund Lewandowski: Precisionism and Beyond. Flint, MI: Flint Institute of Arts, 2010, p. 80, fig. 26.
Milwaukee Art Museum. 100 Years of Wisconsin Art. Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Museum, 1988, p. 73, cat. 64, color illus. p. 73.
Goldstein, Rosalie, ed. Guide to the Permanent Collection. Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Museum, 1986, p. 186, b/w illus. p. 186.
Tsujimoto, Karen. Images of America: Precisionist Painting and Modern Photography. Seattle: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 1982, cat. 65, color illus. p. 56.
Gladfelter, David D. Fair Art Show Matures. Milwaukee Sentinel, August 14, 1965, pp. 30, 38, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Key, Donald. Art Center’s Paintings Travel to Many Shows. Milwaukee Journal, October 23, 1960, p. 81, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed September 24, 2025).
Walker Art Center. The Precisionist View in American Art. Minneapolis: Walker Art Center, 1960, pp. 39, 56, illus. p. 39.
Milwaukee Art Center. The Gimbel Art Collections Presented to the Milwaukee Art Center. Milwaukee: Milwaukee Art Center, 1959, n.p., color illus. cover. (as Ore Freighter) [also color illus. in other Gimbel Art Collection catalogues]
Fish, Margaret. What's the Community Role? Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, January 18, 1959, p. 37, b/w illus., NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026). (as Ore Freighter)
Foley, Roy L. Gimbels to Share Paintings, January 2, 1955, p. 8, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Art Horizons Spread Far To Layton's Lewandowski. Milwaukee Sentinel Exta, September 12, 1954, pp. 72, 74, b/w illus., NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Fish, Margaret. Boggs Wins Top Award In Gimbel Art Contest. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, August 10, 1952, p. 1, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Gimbel Prize Awards Go to 22 Artists. Milwaukee Journal, August 10, 1952, p. 33, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Gimbel Contest for This Year Limited to Oils. Milwaukee Journal, March 30, 1952, p. 124, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Stover, Frances. Four of Gimbel Art Collections Hang Together. Milwaukee Journal, January 13, 1952, p. 97, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Milwaukee Sentinel. Art Horizons Spread Far to Layton's Lewandowski. (September 12, 1954): profile section, p. 1.
Stover, Frances. '51 Fair Offers Gallery Tours, Demonstrations. Milwaukee Journal, August 19, 1951, p. 103, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 31, 2026).
Milwaukee Torch Magazine's Cover by Lewandowski. Milwaukee Journal, May 21, 1950, p. 148, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 31, 2026). (as Ore Freighter)
Gimbel Lewandowski Paintings In Florida. Milwaukee Journal, January 15, 1950, p. 79, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Lewandowski Paintings Join Florida Tour. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, January 15, 1950, p. 35, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Artist Jury to Judge Gimbel Competition. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, June 12, 1949, p. 33, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
First Entries Received for Gimbel Collection. Milwaukee Journal, May 15, 1949, p. 104, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Gimbel Competition Offers $5,400 to Wisconsin Artists. Milwaukee Journal, April 10, 1949, p. 108, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
July 1 Deadline for Wisconsin Playground Art Competition. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, April 3, 1949, p. 25, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 31, 2026).
Gimbel Competition for 1949 Paintings Will Close July 1. Milwaukee Journal, January 16, 1949, p. 90, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Wisconsin Playground Art Entries Close July 1. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, January 16, 1949, p. 34, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
The Gimbel Collection. Milwaukee Journal, August 8, 1948, p. 88, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
"Wisconsin" as Seen by Wisconsin Artists. Milwaukee Journal, August 1, 1948, p. 133, b/w illus. NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Art Winners Are Honored. Milwaukee Journal, July 14, 1948, p. 29, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Fish, Margaret. Awards to Artists. Milwaukee Sentinel Extra, July 14, 1948, p. 13, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Gimbels Art Winners Told. Milwaukee Sentinel, July 11, 1948, p. 3, NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Here Are Three Best Paintings in Gimbel Show. Milwaukee Sentinel, July 11, 1948, p. 38, b/w illus., NewsBank America’s Newspapers, http://infoweb.newsbank.com (accessed March 25, 2026).
Exhibition History
Edmund Lewandowski: Precisionism and Beyond, Winthrop Galleries, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina, Septmeber 6–December 5, 2010; Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, Alabama, January 20–April 2, 2011; Flint Institute of Arts, Flint, Michigan, May 7–August 7, 2011; Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, Georgia, September 10–December 4, 2011.
Midwest Realities: Regional Painting, 1920–1950, Southern Ohio Museum, Portsmouth, Ohio, March 25–May 15, 1995; Springfield Museum of Art, Springfield, Ohio, January 28–February 26, 1995; Riffe Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, April 13–June 17, 1995.
Beyond Tomorrow: South Carolina Art in the 1939 New York World's Fair, South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, South Carolina, May 14–August 20, 1989.
100 Years of Wisconsin Art, Milwaukee Art Museum, September 24–November 6, 1988.
The Layton School of Art Legacy, University Art Museum, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, October 3–December 16, 1984.
Images of America: Precisionist Painting and Modern Photography, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, September 9–November 7, 1982; traveled to other venues through October 9, 1983.
The Precisionist View in American Art, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 13–December 25, 1960; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, New York, January 24–February 28, 1961; Detroit Institute of Arts, March 21–April 23, 1961; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, May 17–June 18, 1961; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, June 30–August 6, 1961.
Milwaukee Public Library, 1959.
Milton College Festival of Arts, Milton, Wisconsin, May 2–17 1959.
[possibly] Gimbel Art Collections, Milwaukee Art Center, January 22–February 8, 1959. (selections from the 1959 gift were on display)
Lewandowski Exhibition presented by Florida Art Club, tour of cities in Florida (Pensacola, Tallahassee, Sarasota, Miami), 1950. (painting must have been pulled from Gimbel Centennial Art Collection tour)
Gimbel Wisconsin Centennial Art Collection, Wisconsin Centennial Exposition, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin, August 7–29, 1948 (first prize); Milwaukee Art Institute (as Wisconsin as Seen by Wisconsin Artists: The Gimbel Wisconsin Centennial Art Collection), September 3–October 3, 1948; Theodore Lyman Wright Art Hall, Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on December 5, 1948; Carroll College, Waukesha, Wisconsin, January 9–16, 1949; Manitowoc Public Library, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, January 19, 1949–date unknown; Lawrence College, Appleton, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on March 27, 1949; Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, April 1949; Harwood Memorial Union, Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on May 15, 1949; Madison Union Galleries, Madison, Wisconsin, August 1–20, 1949; Wisconsin State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin, August 20–28, 1949; Milwaukee State Teachers College, October 1–16, 1949; Central State Teachers College, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, October 1949–date unknown; T. B. Scott Free Library, Merrill, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on November 27, 1949; Rhinelander Public Library, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, late November 1949–date unknown; West Bend, Wisconsin, mid-December–date unknown; Antigo Public Service Building, Antigo, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on January 15, 1950; Wisconsin State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin, August 19–27, 1950; Kohler Club, Kohler, Wisconsin, May 1–31, 1951; Wisconsin State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin, August 18–26, 1951; Layton Art Gallery (as Gimbel Art Collections, including artwork from the contests in 1948–1951), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 14–31, 1952; Ozaukee County Rural Art Show, Mequon Town Hall, Mequon, Wisconsin, date unknown–May 18, 1952; Milwaukee University School, May 21–June 14, 1952; Baldwin, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on October 5, 1952; Pewaukee, Wisconsin, October 15, 1952–date unknown; Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin, by February 22–27, 1953; Milton College, Milton, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on April 12, 1953; Lancaster Art League, dates unknown; Wisconsin Federation of Women's Clubs, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, dates unknown; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on June 21, 1953; Elm Grove School, Elm Grove, Wisconsin, September 16–October 16, 1953; Stephenson Library, Marinette, Wisconsin, November 1–30, 1953; Sheboygan, Wisconsin, dates unknown dates but on view on January 10, 1954.
Midwest Realities: Regional Painting, 1920–1950, Southern Ohio Museum, Portsmouth, Ohio, March 25–May 15, 1995; Springfield Museum of Art, Springfield, Ohio, January 28–February 26, 1995; Riffe Gallery, Columbus, Ohio, April 13–June 17, 1995.
Beyond Tomorrow: South Carolina Art in the 1939 New York World's Fair, South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, South Carolina, May 14–August 20, 1989.
100 Years of Wisconsin Art, Milwaukee Art Museum, September 24–November 6, 1988.
The Layton School of Art Legacy, University Art Museum, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, October 3–December 16, 1984.
Images of America: Precisionist Painting and Modern Photography, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, September 9–November 7, 1982; traveled to other venues through October 9, 1983.
The Precisionist View in American Art, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 13–December 25, 1960; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, New York, January 24–February 28, 1961; Detroit Institute of Arts, March 21–April 23, 1961; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, May 17–June 18, 1961; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, June 30–August 6, 1961.
Milwaukee Public Library, 1959.
Milton College Festival of Arts, Milton, Wisconsin, May 2–17 1959.
[possibly] Gimbel Art Collections, Milwaukee Art Center, January 22–February 8, 1959. (selections from the 1959 gift were on display)
Lewandowski Exhibition presented by Florida Art Club, tour of cities in Florida (Pensacola, Tallahassee, Sarasota, Miami), 1950. (painting must have been pulled from Gimbel Centennial Art Collection tour)
Gimbel Wisconsin Centennial Art Collection, Wisconsin Centennial Exposition, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin, August 7–29, 1948 (first prize); Milwaukee Art Institute (as Wisconsin as Seen by Wisconsin Artists: The Gimbel Wisconsin Centennial Art Collection), September 3–October 3, 1948; Theodore Lyman Wright Art Hall, Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on December 5, 1948; Carroll College, Waukesha, Wisconsin, January 9–16, 1949; Manitowoc Public Library, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, January 19, 1949–date unknown; Lawrence College, Appleton, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on March 27, 1949; Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, April 1949; Harwood Memorial Union, Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on May 15, 1949; Madison Union Galleries, Madison, Wisconsin, August 1–20, 1949; Wisconsin State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin, August 20–28, 1949; Milwaukee State Teachers College, October 1–16, 1949; Central State Teachers College, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, October 1949–date unknown; T. B. Scott Free Library, Merrill, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on November 27, 1949; Rhinelander Public Library, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, late November 1949–date unknown; West Bend, Wisconsin, mid-December–date unknown; Antigo Public Service Building, Antigo, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on January 15, 1950; Wisconsin State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin, August 19–27, 1950; Kohler Club, Kohler, Wisconsin, May 1–31, 1951; Wisconsin State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin, August 18–26, 1951; Layton Art Gallery (as Gimbel Art Collections, including artwork from the contests in 1948–1951), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 14–31, 1952; Ozaukee County Rural Art Show, Mequon Town Hall, Mequon, Wisconsin, date unknown–May 18, 1952; Milwaukee University School, May 21–June 14, 1952; Baldwin, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on October 5, 1952; Pewaukee, Wisconsin, October 15, 1952–date unknown; Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin, by February 22–27, 1953; Milton College, Milton, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on April 12, 1953; Lancaster Art League, dates unknown; Wisconsin Federation of Women's Clubs, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, dates unknown; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dates unknown but on view on June 21, 1953; Elm Grove School, Elm Grove, Wisconsin, September 16–October 16, 1953; Stephenson Library, Marinette, Wisconsin, November 1–30, 1953; Sheboygan, Wisconsin, dates unknown dates but on view on January 10, 1954.
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