Frank Duveneck

Style: Realism;

Place: Covington

Born: 1848

Death: 1919

Biography:

Early Life and Training

, a prominent figure in the American art scene, was born on October 9, 1848, in Covington, Kentucky. His father, Bernhard Decker, a German immigrant, passed away when Frank was just one year old, and his mother later remarried Joseph Duveneck. This heritage would significantly influence Duveneck's artistic style. By the age of 15, Duveneck began studying art under Johann Schmitt, a local painter, and was apprenticed to a German firm of church decorators. This early exposure laid the groundwork for his future success.

Artistic Evolution and Notable Works

In 1869, Duveneck traveled to Munich to study with Wilhelm von Diez and Wilhelm Leibl at the Royal Academy of Munich. This period marked a pivotal shift in his style, embracing a dark, realistic, and direct approach to painting. Some of Duveneck's most celebrated works include:

• Lady with Fan (1873), showcasing his debt to the dark palette and slashing brushwork of Frans Hals.
• The Whistling Boy (1872), another example of his early, expressive style.
• The Cobbler's Apprentice (1877), oil on canvas, now at the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Teaching and Legacy

In 1878, Duveneck opened a school in Munich and later in Polling, Bavaria. His students, known as the "Duveneck Boys," included John Twachtman, Otto Bacher, Julius Rolshoven, and John White Alexander. After returning to America, Duveneck taught at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Notable pupils included Ida Holterhoff Holloway, John Christen Johansen, M. Jean McLane, Edward Charles Volkert, Russel Wright, Charles Mills, and Herman and Bessie Wessel.

Later Life and Death

Duveneck passed away on January 3, 1919, in Covington, Kentucky. His work can be found in various museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Cincinnati Art Museum. View Duveneck's artwork on Wikioo.org: [https://Wikioo.org/@/FrankDuveneck](https://Wikioo.org/@/FrankDuveneck) | 153 Artworks Explore more American Realism artists on Wikioo.org: [https://Wikioo.org/All-Popular-Artists](https://Wikioo.org/All-Popular-Artists) Learn about the art movement on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Realism_(art_movement)