Featured Artists' Biographies (S)

View larger image and more information for Ivo Saliger's original etching Justice.

Ivo Saliger (Konigsberg, 1894 - Vienna, 1987): A twentieth century Austrian artist, Ivo Saliger was known both for his original etchings and paintings. He moved to Vienna in 1908 and studied painting and etching techniques at the Academy of Vienna, under some of Austria's finest artists such as Rudolf Jettmar, Ludwig Michalek and Ferdinand Schmutzer. Saliger completed his studies at the Academie Moderne, in Paris. He returned to Vienna in 1920 to assume the post of professor of art at the Academy.

During the 1920's and 1930's, Ivo Saliger developed strong Art Deco elements within his art. Saliger's paintings were frequently exhibited at the 'Great German Art Exhibition' held annually in Munich between 1937 and 1944.

View larger image and more information for Juvenal Sanso's original aquatint engraving Lueurs.

Juvenal Sanso (Catalina, Spain, Born, 1929): Although Juvenal Sanso was born in Spain he is rightly considered an artist of the Philippines as he moved to Manila at the age of five. He studied under private tudors until he entered the University of Philippines School of Fine Arts as a special student. In 1951 Sanso won several major awards for his art which enabled him to further his studies in Rome, at the Academia di Belles Artes. He also enrolled at l'Ecole Nationale, in Paris. His first one man show was held there in 1957. Since that time his art has been the subject of major exhibitions in the United States, England, Italy, France and Mexico. Sanso currently resides in both Manila and Paris.

Both as an original printmaker and as a painter, Sanso's artistic technique has been termed as 'poetic surrealism'. This is particularly so in his landscape compositions where he is often drawn to solitary swamps and tidal flats. Combining consummate draftsmanship with intricate delineations, he creates both a strange and fascinating world containing elements of both dreams and realities.

View larger image, more information and other original works of art by Hildegard Schieb.

Hildegard Schieb (Hermannstadt, Romania, 1897 - Hattingen, 1989): Born in Romania, Hildegard Schieb studied at the Budapest College of Arts and Crafts and graduated in 1918. She then concluded her studies at the Leipzig Academy, under George Belwe and H. A. Mueller. After graduation, Schieb moved to Hermannstadt and began a successful career as a graphic and design artist for various companies. She was also in demand as a book illustrator and ex-libris designer, mainly in the medium of woodcuts.

Schieb's art came to the attention of the German government during the Second World War and she was ordered in 1944 to work in Munich designing porcelain figures. After the termination of the war she moved to Hattingen. Becoming a member of the artistic association, 'Federation Bochum', she traveled and worked in Yugoslavia, France, Spain and Italy. From this time onwards, Schieb devoted her art mainly to watercolours, woodcuts and linocuts. Her woodcuts and linocuts, which contained up to six separate hand-pulled blocks, gained her a national reputation.

View larger image and more information for Olaf Carl Seltzer's original drawing Western Rider on the Trail.

Olaf Carl Seltzer (Copenhagen, Denmark, 1877 - Great Falls, MT, 1957): After the paintings of Frederick Remington and Charles Russell, the work of Olaf Carl Seltzer places him as one of the most important artists of the American West. Born in Denmark, he studied art (at age twelve) at the Polytechnic Institute in Copenhagen. Two years later he emigrated with his mother to Great Falls, Montana. Seltzer then worked briefly as a rancher and a cowboy before being hired by the Great Northern Railroad as an apprentice machinist. Within several years Seltzer became a locomotive repairman for the Railroad and continued to work in this capacity until he was laid off in 1921.

In his spare time Seltzer made many drawings and sketches. His first paintings date from 1897. In this latter medium he was both encouraged and instructed by his neighbour, Charles Russell. In 1926, Seltzer lived in New York City and completed some of Russell's commissions. By 1930 Seltzer had emerged as a major Western artist and continued to execute many paintings despite failing eyesight. Today his work is included in the most prominent collections of American Western art.

View larger image, more information and other original works of art by William Henry Shelton.

William Henry Shelton (Allen's Hill, NY., 1840 - Morristown, NY., 1932): A nineteenth century painter, etcher and illustrator, William Henry Shelton is today best remembered for his military art, most specifically his scenes from the American Civil War. Shelton, in fact, served in a New York State regiment during the conflict and thus his etchings and drawings are based upon actual experiences.

As well as producing a number of fine etchings, W. H. Shelton also contributed many illustrations to leading periodicals such as Harper's during the 1870's and 1880's. He was a full member of the New York Etching Club and served as the Librarian for the influential New York arts association, the Salmagundi Club.

View larger image and more information for Miron Sima's original woodcut Beggars Sleeping Outdoors.

Miron Sima (Proskurov, Russia, 1902 - Jerusalem, 1999): Born in a shtetl in Czarist Russia, Miron Sima first studied art in Odessa in 1921. In the following year he moved to Dresden, Germany to continue his studies. For a seven year period Sima both studied and worked at Dresden's Academy of Fine Arts under the important Expressionist artist, Otto Dix. Dix taught Sima both painting and graphic art techniques and had a wide ranging influence upon the younger artist. Like Dix, Sima often explored the effects of poverty and victimization in his art. Sima's woodcuts were widely exhibited throughout Germany by 1930 and he was awarded the prestigious Dresden Art Prize in 1932. Sadly, with the rise of Hitler and the Nazis he was the last Jew to receive such an award.

Miron Sima moved to Palestine in 1933. He first settled in Tel Aviv and supported himself by designing theatre sets. Five years later he settled permanently in Jerusalem and taught art classes. In 1949 Sima co-founded the Jerusalem Artists House and was among the first to participate in its exhibitions. During the following years he was twice awarded the Dizengoff Prize and a medal at the Venice Biennale (1963). Miron Sima was a full member of the Art Academies of both Zurich and Florence.

View larger image, more information and other original works of art by Simon T. Frantisek.

Simon T. Frantisek (Eisenstadtl, 1877 - Prague, 1942): An influential Czech printmaker and painter, T. F. Simon studied art at the Academy of Prague. After his studies were completed, Simon resided in both Paris and Prague, building a strong international reputation for his art.

Simon T. Frantisek became famours for his city and landscape depictions in both colour aquatints and colour woodengravings. He travelled extensively during his career, both throughout Europe and North America. His wood engravings of New York, for example, are among his most sought after works.

Basically a traditionalist in his style, Simon did much to champion the cause of Czech printmaking throughout the world. His efforts in Prague paved the way for the following generation of artists such as Max Svabinsky, Preissig and Kotik. Examples of Simon's wood engravings are housed in the permanent collections of the Gallery of Modern Art, Prague, and le Musee d'Art Moderne de Paris.

View larger image, more information and other original works of art by Gustave Adolphe Simonau.

Gustave Adolphe Simonau (Bruges, 1811 - Brussels, 1870): One of Europe's greatest nineteenth century architectural artists, Gustave Adolphe Simonau came from a family with obvious artistic gifts. His boyhood was spent mainly in London where he studied painting under his uncle, Francois Simonau (1783-1859), and lithographic art under his father, Pierre Simonau. From approximately 1815 to 1830, the father owned and ran a successful lithographic printing establishment in that city. After that date he returned to Brussels and published many important lithographs, including those created by his son.

Gustave Simonau's early art was mainly in the field of watercolours, most depicting town and topographical views. These were exhibited extensively throughout both England and Belgium. By 1850 Gustave Simonau had established himself permanently in Brussels and continued to create fine architectural paintings and watercolours. Beyond any doubt, however, Simonau's most impressive architectural art were his lithographs, particularly the very large examples he contributed to the set published by his father in 1844 under the title, Monuments Gothiques.

View larger image, more information and other original works of art by James David Smillie.

James David Smillie (New York City, 1833 - 1909): An accomplished nineteenth century etcher and painter, James David Smillie studied from the age of nine under his father, James Smillie (1807-1885), a well known engraver. More than any American etcher of his time, James David Smillie became an expert in etching and engraving techniques and his advice was sought after by many etchers and printers throughout the latter half of the nineteenth century. Many of the fine etchings commissioned by the American Art Review, for example, were printed under Smillie's supervision. In the late 1880's, Smillie was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute to create drypoints, mezzotints, soft ground etchings and aquatints as examples for other artists to follow.

James David Smillie was a founding member of the influential New York Etching Club and later became its president. He also served as president of the American Water Color Society from 1873 to 1879. He was made an Associate of the National Academy in 1865 and elected a full Academician in 1876.

View larger image, more information and other original works of art by Anker Smith.

Anker Smith (London, 1759 - 1819): Anker Smith received his education at the Merchant Taylor's School of London. After being apprenticed to several engravers he worked for the London publisher, James Heath. First engraving for illustrated books, Smith was commissioned by many publishers and designers, including Bartolozzi. His first large, individually published plates were engravings after the designs of Renaissance masters, such as Leonardo, Titian and Correggio.

In 1791 Anker Smith began a leading engraver for Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery. Of particular interest is that his engraving for Sir William Walworth, Lord Mayor of London, Killing Wat Tyler obtained his election into the Royal Academy in 1797.

View larger image, more information and other original works of art by Jean Solombre.

Jean Solombre (Paris, Born, 1948): An outstanding contemporary painter and printmaker, Jean Solombre studied art in both Paris and Frankfurt. He created his first original work of graphic art in 1975 and since that date has amassed an oeuvre of over 250 aquatints, etchings and serigraphs. As well he has created original etchings for illustrated books such as, Les mots incroyants and Matins sur la Terre (1988).

Jean Solombre is a full member of the International Society of Graphic Artists. Since 1980 his work has been regularly included in major exhibitions in Paris, Washington, New York, Basel, Frankfurt, London and Chicago. His graphic art is owned by a significant list of museums and public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in Paris, the French National Library, the Art Institute of Chicago, Coca Cola, IBM and the Bank of America.

View larger image, more information and other original works of art by Allessandro Specchi.

Allessandro Specchi (Rome, 1668 - 1729): A brilliant architect and artist, the name of Allessandro Specchi is associated with some of the most notable buildings of late seventeenth and early eighteenth century Rome. Among many other accomplishments he was the principal architect of the Farnese Piazza, the Bank of Rome, the Via del Corso and the famous Spanish Steps. As an original etcher, Specchi appears to have been entirely self-taught. The majority of his finest graphic art will be found in the 52 etchings he composed for the final set of the Nuovo Teatro.

Like his precursor, Giovanni Battista Falda, Specchi's etchings are notable for their accuracy and precise details. Yet Specchi was much more atmospheric and imaginary in his compositional techniques than any other Roman etcher of his day. Look for instance at the very powerful contrasts of light and shadow he employs. As well, most of Specchi's architectural renderings portray the buildings from a ground level or other comparable perspective to capture the living elements within. Finally, when incidental figures are included they are depicted with vivid gestures or poses. It should therefore come as no surprise that when the most famous architectural etcher of them all, Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778), studied the art of his Roman precursors it was the etched views of Alessandro Specchi that most inspired him. The brilliant techniques employed by Specchi were undoubtedly a strong influence upon the later art of Piranesi.

View larger image, more information and other original works of art by Theophile Alexandre Steinlen.

Theophile Alexandre Steinlen (Lausanne, 1859 - Paris, 1923): A major artist of the French Art Nouveau era, Theophile Alexandre Steinlen came to Paris from his native Switzerland at the age of twenty. Mainly self-taught, he quickly established himself as a leading illustrator of popular journals such as Le Rire. He also contributed a large amount of drawings and lithographs to the radical press publications, Pere Peinard, Les Temps Nouveaux and La Chambard. In order to avoid political repercussions for some of his art dealing with strong social content he often employed pseudonyms such as, 'Treelan' and 'Pierre'.

In the 1890's Steinlen's wonderful use of line and design led to some of the most famous posters of the Art Nouveau movement. These include, Tournee du Chat Noir (1896), La Rue (1896) and Lait pur Sterilise (1894). Yet the majority of his art continued to explore the hardships of the poor and humble. Known as "the Millet of the Streets", Steinlen's influence was vast. Among other artists both Toulouse-Lautrec and the young Picasso paid direct homage to his art.

View larger image and more information for Joseph Stella's original etching Old Woman Reading.

Joseph Stella (Italy, 1877 - New York, 1946): One of America's most famous artists of the early twentieth century, Joseph Stella emigrated to New York from Italy at the age of seventeen. He originally intended to become a medical doctor but his artistic talents led him to enroll at the New York School of Art where he studied under William Merritt Chase. From 1900 Stella often visited Europe where he studied not only the art of the Old Masters but recent directions of the Modernists, such as Post-ism and Cubism. Joseph Stella attended the famous 1911 Paris exhibition of the Italian Futurist painters. Their exploration of the relationships among motion, speed and light influenced Stella's art and for the following decade he pioneered Futurism in America. It is not an overstatement to write that his famous Futurist paintings of Coney Island and Brooklyn Bridge brought modern art to the United States.

Yet the influential career of Joseph Stella is a nightmare for art critics, historians and other scholars who insist upon categorizing artists by movements and styles. Throughout his working life, Stella easily moved among Realism, Abstraction and Surrealism. Rarely dating his work he explored any past or modern style within his own unique art.

View larger image, more information and other original works of art by Albert Sterner.

Albert Edward Sterner (London, England, 1863 - Nnew York, 1946): A great American painter, etcher, engraver, lithographer and illustrator, Albert Edward Sterner first studied art at Birmingham and at the Julien Academy in Paris, under Gerome, Boulanger and Lefebvre. Born to American parents in England, Sterner moved permanently to New York in 1885. Sterner first established himself as a major painter and illustrator. Among other awards, his art won prestigious medals at the Paris Salon (1891), the Paris Exposition (1900) and at the Munich Exposition (1905).

Albert Sterner was a full member of the American Water Color Society, the Lotus Club, the American Institute of Arts and Letters and of the National Academy of Design (1934). His original prints and paintings are included in the following international institutes; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the South Kensington Museum, London, the Kupferstich Kabinet, Munich, and the Royal Print Collection of Italy. Few American artists received as much acclaim throughout the world as Albert Sterner.

View larger image, more information and other original works of art by Dwight Sturges.

Dwight Case Sturges (Boston, 1874 - Melrose, MA., 1940): One of the most acclaimed American etchers of the early twentieth century, Dwight Case Sturges studied at the Cowles Art School in Boston. Most of Sturges's early art was in the medium of oil painting. Beginning around 1910, however, he devoted himself almost exclusively to the art of original etching. Many awards soon followed, most notably from the Chicago Society of Etchers and at the Pan Pacific Exposition in San Francisco in 1915. Dwight Sturges was a full member of the Chicago Society of Etchers, the Canadian Society of Etchers, the Concord Art Association and the American Federation of Arts.

Many major American museums now include examples of his etched art in their collections, such as the Institute of Chicago, the New York Public Library, the Farnsworth Art Museum, the Fogg Museum, the Toledo Museum, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Library of Congress, in Washington.