The Colnik Collection

The newly redesigned Cyril Colnik exhibition is an updated interpretation of the life and work of a late 19th/early 20th century Artisan Blacksmith The display features the tools of a blacksmith shop, complete with forge, anvil and blacksmithing tools. Also included are reproduction and original photos, drawings and blueprints from our Cyril Colnik Archive. New storyboards will lead you through the process of forging and repousse step by step, to help you understand Colnik's fiery creation process. Together with biographical and historical information, the exhibition now more fully tells the story of this eminent blacksmith who was an integral part of Milwaukee's architectural history.

The Colnik object Collection donated to the museum in 1991 by Gretchen Colnik, Cyril's Daughter and contains more than 200 pieces of ironwork that the artisan blacksmith created over the span of his career. Many of these objects are on display in the permanent collection exhibit. 

Often called "the Tiffany of wrought iron masters," Cyril Colnik (1871-1958) achieved national fame as one of the foremost metal craftsmen of his time. His artistry in cast and wrought iron, as well as other metals, included candelabras, balustrades, decorative panels, fireplace tools and lamps in styles ranging from Baroque to Art Deco.

The Cyril Colnik Archive, donated to the Villa in 2002 by the Kohler Foundation, contains an extensive collection of original drawings, blueprints, and photographs from Cyril Colnik's lifetime.

Dan Naumann of Bighorn Forge in Kewaskum, WI provided a boundless resource of knowledge to the updated collection.  His contribution to this exhibition was of inestimable value.

The Renaissance Garden's Neptune Gate was designed by area blacksmiths in Colnik's master style.

The Great Hall
The wide-pegged floor and beamed Georgia ceiling, decorated with stencil designs, enhance the feeling of the Villa's 16th century Italian design. Oil paintings from 17th, 19th, 20th century German and American artists adorn the walls.

Dining Room
The heavily carved walnut dining table and chairs were designed by David Adler, and made under his direction by craftsmen in Italy to resemble 17th century prototypes. To the west of the dining room is an ante-room containing built-in cabinets, lined with blue and white Dutch tiles.

The English Gallery
The paneling in this gallery was copied from a room built at Bromley-by-Bow, now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The paneling's design shows the Nordic influence prevalent in early 17th century England. The theme of 17th century England is carried further in the elaborate ceiling design. The walls of the gallery are adorned with Dutch and Flemish oil paintings.

The Züber Gallery
The most outstanding feature of this gallery is the panoramic Züber wallpaper. To print a lush landscape such as the panorama in this gallery, titled Decor Chinois, required the talents of 50 men. A total of 1554 wooden plates were inked in order to apply 192 colors on 24 panels. Multiply that by 50, which was a typical edition, and the task of creating one panorama grows to some 77,000 impressions.