Ernst Melaun (2 February 1856 - 26 August 1935) was an artist and master metal worker from Austria. He was known for designing and making decorative Ornamental iron pieces.
Ernst Melaun | |
|---|---|
 Iron craftsman Ernst Melaun | |
| Born | February 2, 1856 Friedek Silesia, Austria |
| Died | August 26, 1935 (aged 79) |
| Resting place | Calvary Cemetery 435 West Troy Avenue Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, 46217 USA |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Education | craft school in Vienna Austria |
| Known for | Ornamental wrought iron |
| Spouse | Martha (née) Nedtwig Melaun |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
editMelaun was born 2 February 1856 in Friedek Silesia, Austria. He attended high school in Moravia. He then moved to Vienna Austria to attend a craft school where he had lessons in free hand drawing. He became a journeyman and traveled throughout Northern and Southern Germany learning about iron. Melaun was conscripted into the military for a five year period.[1][2] He married Martha (née) Nedtwig Melaun.[3] In 1882, he moved to America and settled in Chicago,[4] where he lived for 7 years before moving to Milwaukee in 1889.[5]
Career
edit
In 1902, he moved from Milwaukee and settled in Indianapolis; there he became well known for his iron work. Toward the end of World War I his reputation for iron work reached other parts of America. He began to get orders and he working to fill orders from New York City, St. Louis, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Dallas, Texas.[4] He worked in his shop with his two sons, Eric and Herman, and his daughter Gretchen handled office duties for the business.[5] Throughout Indianapolis, he worked on large office building and cathedrals.[5] Melaun was known for his ornamental designs. He was one of the few craftsmen producing iron pieces which were interior decorations.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Ernst Melaun Dead, but Memory Live in Wrought-Iron Art Work". The Indianapolis News. 27 August 1935. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Ernst Melaun, Artist". The Indianapolis Journal. 14 January 1900. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Ernst Melaun Dies; Work In Iron Famed". The Indianapolis Star. 28 August 1935. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ a b Morehouse, Lucille (28 May 1922). "Metal Worker Here Finds New Appreciation of Art". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ a b c "Artist in Wrought Iron and His Work Ernst Melaun". The Indianapolis Star. 27 April 1914. Retrieved 27 June 2022.