Robert Von
Neumann (1888-1976) was arguably Wisconsin’s most significant artist of the
first have of the 20th Century. He was extremely prolific, creating
many prints and paintings, he exhibited widely, and as a teacher he influenced
many other artists.
Robert Von
Neumann was born in Germany in 1888. He studied art in Germany, fought in World
War I, and taught for some years in Berlin after the war. He also worked as an
illustrator and a lithographer in Germany. Along with his wife, he emigrated to
America in 1926 and settled in Milwaukee. He soon started teaching at Milwaukee’s
Layton School of Art, and shortly thereafter began teaching at Milwaukee State
Teachers College (later the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), where he spent
the remainder of his teaching career, retiring in 1959. Over the years he actively participated in
many arts organizations, and exhibited numerous times. He exhibited at the Milwaukee
Journal Gallery of Art, with the Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors, at the
Wisconsin Salon in Madison, Wisconsin, with the Milwaukee Printmakers, and
other groups. He also participated in national organizations and exhibitions,
most notably at the Chicago Art Institute (on numerous occasions), with the
Prairie Printmakers, and also the Associated American Artists. (AAA was a New
York based concern that brought art to the masses, offering original prints by
fine artists, many of whom were already well known, or later became noteworthy.)
Von
Neumann’s favorite subject matter was working people---you will quickly see
that theme in the numerous prints that I will show. From the considerable
amount of his work that I have seen, I have loosely classified his categories
as commercial fishing, lumbering, farming, and landscapes. You will see
examples of all of these in this blog and future blogs. Because Von Neumann was
so prolific I intend to profile him in different blogs, possibly not all in
sequence. I may decide to take a break from “Vonnie” to showcase some other
artists. I have my prints sorted by size, for ease of storage, so this first
blog will be Von Neumann’s smallest prints.
Robert Von Neumann "Supper on the Boat" woodcut, 6"h x 5"w, signed, no date
This print was featured in the 1936 Wisconsin Artist's Calendar
Robert Von Neumann "The Trout Net" woodcut, 6"h x 5" unsigned, no date
The print, aka "Fishermen", was featured in the 1936 Wisconsin Artist's calendar
Robert Von Neumann "Reeling the Nets" wood engraving, 5" h x 6"w, signed, no date
This print was featured in the 1938 Wisconsin Artist's Calendar
This print has a label from the 1943 San Francisco exhibition of Drawings and Prints
Robert Von Neumann "Fishing" etching, 5"h x 7"w, signed, no date
Robert Vo Neumann Untitled (fisherman) woodcut, 6"h x 5"w, signed, no date
Robert Von Neumann "Morning" etching, 6"h x 8"w, signed, no date
Robert Von Neumann untitled ("Reapers") woodcut, 6"h x 5"w, unsigned, no date
This print was feature in the 1936 Wisconsin Artist's Calendar, titled "Reapers"
Robert Von Neumann untitled (lumberjacks) etching, 6"h x 8"w, signed, no date
Robert Von Neumann untitled (fishermen) etching, 6.5"h x 9.5"w, unsigned, no date
Robert Von Neumann untitled (fisherman) etching, 7"h x 5"w, unsigned, no date
Robert Von Neumann "Beaching the Boat" etching, signed, no date
Robert Von Neumann untitled (women working in field) mezzotint, 8"h x 9.5"w, unsigned, no date
