American Ceramics & Ceramic National Exhibition Archive

Gender

Male

Nationality

American

Life Dates

1904 - 2000

Biography

Up until his move from Germany to New York in 1937, Drerup was a graphic artist and painter. It was in New York City that a friend suggested working with enamels. Drerup was tenacious in his studies and developed his recognizable technique from lengthy studies of limoge and cloisonne examples at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Like Edward Winter, Drerup trained in Vienna and was recognized by Miss Anna Olmstead, once director of the Syracuse Museum of Fine Arts, as “...the leader in superb enamels.” He was prized in the 1941 Syracuse Ceramic National for his mural, Enchanted Garden, comprised of eighteen copper plaques. Working on a small scale, Drerup was noted for his use of color and narrative. He created intimate objects with meticulous details requiring close examination. Drerup strongly believed in high standards and was concerned as he foresaw enameling’s future being dependent upon the commercialization “of this lovely medium.” It was in 1946 that he moved to New Hampshire to escape the bustle of New York City and find a sense of permanency. Here he returned to painting and taught at Plymouth State Teachers’ College.