2016 Michigan Art Exhibition Retrospective Show and Sale May 6th-15th Schmidt’s Antiques Inc. Since 1911 5138 West Michigan Avenue Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197 (734) 434 2660 www.SchmidtsAntiques.com FEATURED ARTISTS: Mathias Alten, German/American, 1871-1938 A longtime, and prominent resident of Grand Rapids, this Impressionist painter was well versed in oil, watercolor, and pastel painting. Beyond prolific, Alten completed an unprecedented amount of works in his lifetime; it is said to be a sum of over 3,000. While Alten is perhaps best known for his landscapes and vibrant beach tableau, he was certainly an accomplished portrait artist, creating striking renditions of his subjects. Known as the "Dean of Michigan Painters", he traveled throughout the country, as well as Europe, but always returned to Grand Rapids, a city that he loved and chose to make his home. Myron Barlow, American, 1873-1937 Although many label Barlow as a “French” artist, as he spent a considerable amount of time in France, he was actually born in Ionia, Michigan, and raised in Detroit. He studied with Joseph Gies while a student at the Detroit Museum School, and he also briefly attended the Chicago Art Institute. He began his career as a newspaper artist, but soon decided to travel and study abroad to learn from the masters, where he became greatly inspired by the works of Vermeer. While in Europe, he earned his first medal by the tender age of twenty-two, and by thirty-four was the sole American elected to be a member of the Societe Nationale des Beaux Arts in France. At home and abroad Barlow received praise for his works, which even caught the eye of William Bouguereau, and was especially admired for his treatment of color. It was important to Barlow to create long lasting colors, as he noted that works by his predecessors were fading, due to inferior paint quality. Thus, he took to grinding pigments and mixing his own paints. This type of detail, and dedication, are perhaps what have made his works popular through the ages. From private collections to the Detroit Institute of Arts, his paintings command attention and continue to gain a following. Leon Dabo, French/American, 1864-1960 and Theodore Scott Dabo, French/American, 1877-1928 The paintings of both Leon and Theodore Dabo are striking, yet familiar at the same time. Clearly influenced by the likes of Whistler, both artists are known for their tonal and serene images; hazy landscapes that are basked in colors only seen at dusk or dawn, that are almost eerie in natural, but undeniably calm, and captivating. The locations and dates of the births of the Dabo brothers range widely, but it is certain that they emigrated from France to Detroit in 1870, in order to escape the Franco-Prussian War. In 1883, the family relocated to New York where Leon worked as an architectural designer to support Theodore’s career as an artist. In New York, the brothers worked together decorating churches, among other establishments, and opened their own studio where they would host joint exhibitions. Leon and Theodore would collaborate for numerous exhibitions across the country, including showings in both New York and Detroit. Although the Dabo brothers resided in Detroit for only a short period of time, they continued to maintain ties to the city. Leon was a member of the Hopkin Club, and Theodore’s “The River Seine” was gifted to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Even today, when one thinks of a list of Detroit artists, both Leon and Theodore Dabo surely come to mind. Roy Gamble, American, 1887-1972 Like many before him, Roy Gamble studied under Joseph Gies and John P. Wicker at the Detroit Academy of Fine Arts. He continued his education in New York where he studied at the Art Students League under Robert Henri and William Merritt Chase, as well as in Paris under Jean-Paul Laurens at the Academie Julian. From 1910 to 1911 Gamble exhibited at the Paris Salons, but he would soon return to Detroit-the city that he was born in, and would remain in. Although an accomplished portrait artist, as he captured important and prominent figures of Detroit including Mayor Albert E. Cobo and Detroit Tiger Ty Cobb, perhaps what Gamble is best known for is his work as a muralist. In 1914, the Detroit Free Press commissioned him to complete a series of murals to illustrate the early history of Detroit. His scenes included: The Landing of Cadillac, Bartering with Indians, Pontiac’s Conspiracy, Conquering the Forest, and Modern Industry. The murals were an enormous success; so much so that when the Free Press relocated to a new building it was requested of the architect, Albert Kahn, to design a special room to exhibit the paintings. What makes Gamble’s work special, is that it is still such a living part of the community. It isn’t confined to private collections; it can still be found in spaces accessible to the public throughout the state. The Detroit Historical Museum, the Detroit Athletic Center, Wayne State University, the Michigan State Capitol, and the Michigan Supreme Court all house his works. Gamble was a lifelong resident of Detroit and through his art, he continues to live among us. Joseph Gies, American, 1860-1935 Joseph Gies was unquestionably one of the most influential, and instrumental, figures in the Detroit art community. Born in Detroit, he obtained his initial training from Julius Melchers, and later went on to study at the National Academy of Design, the Cooper Union School of art and the Art Students League, both in New York. He traveled to Paris in 1883 to study under Adolphe Bougereau and Tony Robert-Fleury, and later spent a period of time at the Royal Academy in Munich, Germany. When he returned to his home town in 1890, he became a faculty member of the Art School of the Detroit Museum of Art, a post that he maintained for five years. In 1898 Gies, along with Francis Petrus Paulus, founded the Detroit Academy of Art, what was also known as Detroit School of Fine Arts. Even though Gies retired from teaching just twelve years later, he still remained a vital part of the community that was responsible for the development of the artistic culture in the city of Detroit. The idea that artists and students of art must be able to gather together, to discuss ideas so that they may nurture their talents, was extremely important to Gies. So much so, in fact, that he opened his home on Adams Avenue as a gathering place, to local artists and art students alike. Certainly, this notion was the genesis of The Scarab Club, as he was one of the founding members, as well as its first president. And for that, the artists and art connoisseurs of Michigan indeed owe a debt of gratitude to Joseph Gies. William Girard, American, 1940-2011 A lifelong resident of Royal Oak, Michigan, William “Bill” Girard was known for his ability to capture images rooted in myth and fantasy. Inspired by a multitude of artistic movements, including the Classical period as well as Mannerism, his paintings evoke the senses and transport the viewer to realm of romance and whimsy. Upon graduating high school, Girard briefly attended what is now known as Detroit’s College for Creative Studies. Although unable to complete his degree for personal reasons, he was able to return to the College in 1968 as a Professor. He taught for thirty years, sharing his knowledge of techniques that he had taught himself over the years, including working in oil paints, egg tempera, terra cotta, clay, wax, and fresco work. His eagerness to learn greatly fueled his ability to teach, and share knowledge with anyone who was interested in learning. It is also in his own creations that one can see his enthusiasm, which no doubt contributed to his ability to create unique pieces that are undeniably surreal. James C. Harrison, American, 1925-1990 Harrison was a Detroit artist based in Brooklyn, New York. His work is complex, layered and full of Jungian, religious and mystical references used to relay his internal battles and demons. Harrison drew inspiration from mythology, psychiatry, poetry, music, philosophy and artists of the past. His ever-evolving style always maintained a cutting-edge quality that was anchored in his own deep philosophical tendencies. Born in Detroit, Michigan on November 27, 1925, Harrison attended Cass Technical High School. He graduated in 1943 with a degree in commercial art. He went on to attend both the Cranbrook Academy of Art (1944) and Olivet College (1946) for only a single term each, before realizing that a traditional educational setting was not agreeable with him. Thus, he became largely a self-taught artist. In 1950, Harrison moved to New York and worked as a color mixer for a textile manufacturer to support himself, still with aspirations of becoming a recognized artist. While in New York, Harrison surrounded himself with a group of friends that included James Baldwin and photographers Doug Quackenbush and Larry Clark. He drew inspiration from Jazz, a passion that ignited in him since his beginnings in Detroit, the philosophies of Carl Jung and became more and more consumed by an addiction to drugs and alcohol. From the late 1950s throughout the 1970s he was featured in numerous group exhibitions, but it wasn't until the 1980s that he finally gained recognition of his own right. In 1983, he had his first solo exhibition at A Place Apart Gallery in Brooklyn, New York, and in 1987, the LedisFlam Gallery presented his unaided exhibition, "Forty Year Retrospective".