William Wendt

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William Wendt (1865-1946) was an American landscape painter. He was called the "Dean of Southern California landscape painters."

Wendt was a founding member of the California Art Club, along with his wife Julia Bracken Wendt, and served as its president for six years.

1 Rationale
2 Awards
3 Galleries and public collections
4 Sources:

[edit] Rationale

Wendt believed there are philosophical, metaphysical, and theological foundations as to why humankind creates Art. Art becomes a sign in itself that points ultimately towards higher realities than the art object or process manifests in and through itself, courtesy of the artist's knowledge and free-will. Art is an adoration symbol that links the reality of the artist's vision and dream-state to the principles that are nature. Wendt decades in front of nature.

William Wendt found a California at the close of the 19th century which is now lost forever due to the effects of industrialism, consumerism and population density.

Wendt believed nature was a manifestation of God, and he viewed himself as nature's faithful interpreter.

Thom Gianetto of Edenhurst Gallery, Los Angeles, is a specialist in William Wendt.

[edit] Awards

Bronze Medal, Buffalo Exposition 1901;
Kirchberger Prize, Chicago Art Institute, 1913;
Silver Medal, San Francisco Exposition, 1915;
Black Prize, California Art Club,1916;
Ranger Purchase Prize, National Academy of Design,1926

[edit] Galleries and public collections

William Wendt Gallery, California
Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois;
Laguna Art Museum;
Irvine Museum, Irvine, California;
Pasadena Art Museum, California.
Richmond Art Museum, Indiana

[edit] Sources:

William Wendt Gallery, California
Literature: Hughes, E. Milton; Artists in California, 1786-1940, 1989
Literature: Walker, John Alan; Documents on the Life & Art of William Wendt, 1992.
Literature: Westphal, Ruth Lily; Plein Air Painters of the Southland, 1996