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William Wendt
(Bentzen, Germany, 1865 - 1946, Laguna Beach, CA)
William Wendt was born in 1865 in Bentzen, Germany. Fifteen years later he made his way to the United States of America, where he settled for a time in Chicago. While there he briefly attended the Chicago Art Institute and worked as a commercial artist, but in his free time he explored easel painting and worked on developing his own personal style. Artist George Gardner Symons was his good friend, and together these two made occasional excursions to California to paint the luminescent countryside. Both painters enjoyed the impressionistic style of art that had arisen and flourished in France only decades before, and were open to its influences in their own works. In 1906 Wendt married sculptress Julia Bracken, and together they decided to make the move to Los Angeles. Wendt was hugely inspired by the unique landscapes of Southern California, and frequently made excursions into the wilderness to paint "en plein air", as was his preference. Each of his paintings demonstrated his almost reverent adoration for the nature he captured in his works. Gradually his soft, tranquil approach to painting shifted into a much brighter and bolder style, employing rich, deep colors and broader brushstrokes. Though he did not find great success with his art in Chicago, his style of painting was greatly appreciated almost as soon as he settled in Los Angeles. He became known as the "Dean of Southern California" artists. He founded the California Art Club where he acted as president from 1911 - 1919. In 1912 he was elected as an Associate for the National Academy of Design in New York. The ever increasing population in L.A. caused Wendt to pull back from activity there, and eventually he and his wife moved altogether, settling in Laguna Beach, where Wendt lived and worked until his death in 1946. His works can be found in collections throughout the nation, including the Union Club in Seattle, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Pasadena Art Institute, and the Springville Museum of Art in Utah.
(Bentzen, Germany, 1865 - 1946, Laguna Beach, CA)
William Wendt was born in 1865 in Bentzen, Germany. Fifteen years later he made his way to the United States of America, where he settled for a time in Chicago. While there he briefly attended the Chicago Art Institute and worked as a commercial artist, but in his free time he explored easel painting and worked on developing his own personal style. Artist George Gardner Symons was his good friend, and together these two made occasional excursions to California to paint the luminescent countryside. Both painters enjoyed the impressionistic style of art that had arisen and flourished in France only decades before, and were open to its influences in their own works. In 1906 Wendt married sculptress Julia Bracken, and together they decided to make the move to Los Angeles. Wendt was hugely inspired by the unique landscapes of Southern California, and frequently made excursions into the wilderness to paint "en plein air", as was his preference. Each of his paintings demonstrated his almost reverent adoration for the nature he captured in his works. Gradually his soft, tranquil approach to painting shifted into a much brighter and bolder style, employing rich, deep colors and broader brushstrokes. Though he did not find great success with his art in Chicago, his style of painting was greatly appreciated almost as soon as he settled in Los Angeles. He became known as the "Dean of Southern California" artists. He founded the California Art Club where he acted as president from 1911 - 1919. In 1912 he was elected as an Associate for the National Academy of Design in New York. The ever increasing population in L.A. caused Wendt to pull back from activity there, and eventually he and his wife moved altogether, settling in Laguna Beach, where Wendt lived and worked until his death in 1946. His works can be found in collections throughout the nation, including the Union Club in Seattle, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Pasadena Art Institute, and the Springville Museum of Art in Utah.
Artist Objects
