Charles Schreyvogel is one of the most respected artists to depict the wild west and was known for depicting scenes of the warfare that occurred between the native Americans and the European pioneers. As well as the difficult lives of cowboys. To discover key facts about Schreyvogel’s career as an artist and his interest in the wild west, simply continue reading.
Charles Schreyvogel: Artist Profile
He was originally a self taught artist:
Charles Schreyvogel was originally a self-taught artist, who taught himself how to draw professionally. However, he later chose to study with H. August Schwabe at the famed Newark Art League.
He later taught other students how to draw and paint:
By 1880, Schreyvogel had begun to teach students how to draw and paint professionally and worked out of a make shift art studio in the roof of his apartment.
He was encouraged to draw and paint western themes while studying in Munich:
Schreyvogel managed to attract patrons who funded his sabbatical in Germany. During this time a man by the name of Dr. Fisher encouraged Schreyvogel to start painting and drawing western inspired scenes and individuals.
He had a sympathetic view of the native American subjects in his artwork:
Schreyvogel’s viewpoint as an artist was rather unique, due to the fact that he saw the native American tribes in a respectful light and simply saw them as defending their ancestral homelands. A viewpoint that was rare at the time. When many Europeans saw the indigenous people who called the west their home as ruthless, godless savages. At one point in time, he made a trip to visit the Blackfeet Reservation, which was located in Montana.
He often depicted cowboys in his art:
For a time Schreyvogel travelled with the cowboys who performed in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Many of whom he drew and painted.
He was also a skilled horseman:
Spending so much time in the west, with cowboys and American Indians, he actually became a skilled rider.
He prefered painting large pieces:
As Schreyvogel prefered to paint on large canvases, he only produced around 75 western-themed paintings. Many of which are sold today at auctions for competitive prices. As they are so rare.
Many of his pieces are currently on display at the Cowboy Hall of Fame:
If you’d like to see some of Schreyvogel’s cowboy paintings, military paintings and Native American paintings, it’s well worth planning a trip to the highly-rated Cowboy Hall of Fame, which is located in Oklahoma City. You’ll even get a chance to view some of his rare watercolour paintings.
He lost his life to a case of blood poisoning:
Schreyvogel lost his life from blood poisoning which was caused by a chicken bone that had got stuck in his gum and caused a serious infection.
He didn’t gain fame till later in his career:
When Schreyvogel first started painting and drawing he was an impoverished artist who was born to poor German immigrants.
So if you have an interest in early American art or the wild west and its colorful characters, it’s well worth traveling to the Cowboy Hall of Fame, in order to view his art in person.
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