From the moment the Museum opened the Fragile Legacy: The Marine Invertebrate Glass Models of Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka exhibition this May, Museum staff have been busy providing tours of the gallery to visitors, guests, and reporters. There’s a never ending supply of questions to answer when people first see these stunning glass models of sea creatures. A common question I’ve received when touring the gallery is: “What’s your favorite Blaschka model?” It’s pretty hard to choose just one model as my favorite. Each model in the exhibition is immensely detailed and each is a stunning work of art. I found it was easy to accumulate a rather lengthy list of objects I was excited to see in the gallery time and time again.
As we near the close of the Fragile Legacy exhibition, we thought it would be fun to see which Blaschka models are favorites for members of our Museum’s staff. I checked with 10 people from various departments which model in the exhibition they considered a favorite:
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- Blaschka Nr. 35, Anthea Cereus (1885); Anemonia sulcata (2016); Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka; Dresden, Germany; 1885. Lent by Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. L.53.3.2015 Chosen by Russel Anthony, Retail eCommerce Specialist
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- Blaschka Nr. 549, Argonauta argo (1885); Argonauta argo (2016); Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka; Dresden, Germany; 1885. Lent by Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. L.17.3.63-23
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- Blaschka Nr. 191a, Tubularia indivisa (1885); Tubularia indivisa (2016); Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka; Dresden, Germany, 1885. Lent by Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. L.17.3.63-551. Chosen by Dave Kuentz, Innovation Center Tech/Preparator
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- Blaschka Nr. 369, Aeolis papillosa (1885); Aeolidia papillosa (2016); Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka; Dresden, Germany, 1885. Lent by Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. L.17.3.63-304. Chosen by Kathryn Wieczorek, Science Educator
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- Blaschka Nr. 213, Physophora magnifica (1885); Physophora hydrostatica (2016); Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka; Dresden, Germany, 1885. Lent by Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. L.17.3.63-516. Chosen by Warren Bunn, Collections & Exhibitions Manager
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- Blaschka Nr. 287, Synapta maculata (1885); Synapta maculata (2016); Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka; Dresden, Germany, 1885. Lent by Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. L.17.3.63-8. Chosen by Jack Green, Deputy Director
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- Blaschka Nr. 440, Ercolania Uziellii (1885); Ercolania viridis (2016); Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka; Dresden, Germany, 1885. Lent by Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. L.17.3.63-99. Chosen by Brad Patoka, Lead Video Production Specialist
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![Blaschka Nr. 236, Pelagia tuberculosa (1885); [unknown] (2016)](https://oldblog.cmog.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/nr-236-330x400.jpg)
- Blaschka Nr. 236, Pelagia tuberculosa (1885); [unknown] (2016); Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka; Dresden, Germany, 1885. Lent by Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. L.17.3.63-476. Chosen by Amanda Machuga, Guest Services
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- Blaschka Nr. 99, Sagartia rosea (1885); Sagartia elegans (2016); Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka; Dresden, Germany, 1885. Lent by Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. L.17.3.63-430. Chosen by Chris Rochelle, Hot Glass Projects Team Leader
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- Blaschka Nr. 564, Loligopsis veranii (1885); Chirotheuthis veranii (2016); Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka; Dresden, Germany, 1885. Lent by Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. L.17.3.63-32. Chosen by Michelle Padilla, Digital Content Specialist
As you can see from the 10 models above, there was great variety in the objects staff members choose as a favorite models, proving that there’s something for everyone in the exhibition. I was surprised that no one chose Blaschka Nr. 216, one of my many favorites. Is your favorite Blaschka model listed above?
If you haven’t yet had a chance to visit the exhibition and see these 10 objects, and many more, you’d better hurry! Fragile Legacy closes on January 8.
Fragile Legacy: The Marine Invertebrate Glass Models of Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka is on view at The Corning Museum of Glass through January 8, 2017. Learn more about the exhibition.