Paul Lantuch, "Smell of Fish", 1985, copper etching, aquatint, 9 1⁄2 x 12 1⁄2", Gift of the artist, 2008.31.11

Paul Lantuch, "Vita Nova", 1989, copper engraving, 19 x 15", Gift of the artist, 2008.31.6

Paul Lantuch: Modern Master
Aug. 14 - Dec. 6, 2009

A modern day master, engraver Paul Lantuch infuses classical subjects and an academic style with a modern flair in his accomplished works on paper, Jewelry and gun engravings.

Lantuch recently donated 18 prints to the New Britain Museum of American Art’s permanent collection. These pieces, which range in date from 1971 to 1989, include zinc engravings, copper engravings and copper etchings which will be the focus of the current exhibition in the Davis Gallery. These works on paper will be on display alongside examples of Lantuch’s jewelry and gun engravings.

Born in Vilnius, Lithuania, Lantuch immigrated to the United States in 1979 where he became a personal gun engraver for William Ruger of Sturm, Ruger & Co. After this initial experience in the States, many of his gold inlay and engraved works were commissioned by well-known individuals including President Jimmy Carter, Vice President Walter Mondale and Hank Williams Jr. Much of Lantuch’s work reflects the Scythian Gold collection found in the St. Petersburg’s State Hermitage Museum, an exhibition that incorporates gold pieces lavishly decorated with precious stones and adorned with intricately carved details such as a panther or a stag.

Similarly inspired by the aesthetic inclinations of the Renaissance, Lantuch has dabbled in a bit of everything: painting, wood and stone carving, gold inlay, etching and sculpting. Lantuch has said that the more he masters, the more freedom he possesses.