Charles H. F. Turner: Boston
Etcher and Professional Pyrographer

Charles Henry Francis Turner (1848-1908) ,
a Boston etcher and fine arts painter at the turn of the century, created some
of the finest, most detailed pyrographic artworks. Because of his sojourn to
France in the late l880’s, he specialized in European and French influenced
master paintings and portraits. This stint undoubtedly influenced his love of
painting portraits and no doubt exposed him to early French pyrography…an
artform which he later practiced and brought to America. At least three
pyrographic portraits of European ladies are known to exist along with one
outstanding pyrographic furniture piece: an oak blanket chest which he incised
on the top lid: “This chest decorated in pyrography by me Charles H.F. Turner
for my grand daughter Elise 1901”. He signs his pyrographic artworks “CHT” and
he was a frequent exhibitor at the Boston Art Club including the Boston Art
Exhibition in 1898 where his portrait of a classic French Lady was
exhibited.