William Wendt (February 20, 1865, Bentzen, Kingdom of Prussia – December 29, 1946, Laguna Beach) was a German-born American landscape painter. He was called the "Dean of Southern California landscape painters."[1] Associated with the Eucalyptus School, his work is more closely aligned with the Arts and Crafts Movement in California than the French or American Impressionists.[2]
Being the only son of his parents William Wendt and Williamina Ludwig, he underwent an apprenticeship for cabinetmaking in his youth but was left unsatisfied by the experience. He later emigrated by himself to the United States in 1880. From 1894 to 1896, he traveled extensively with his friend, George Gardner Symons. He married the sculptor, Julia Bracken in 1906 and moved to California shortly thereafter.[1]
Wendt was a founding member of the California Art Club, along with his wife Julia, and served as its first president for six years.[1]
Wendt built his studio in Laguna Beach, California. A Laguna street, Wendt Terrace, bears his name.[3]
- ^ a b c Biography @ the William Wendt Gallery.
- ^ Wendt, William; et al. (1989). In Praise of Nature: the Landscapes of William Wendt: November 14-December 17, 1989, University Art Museum, California State University, Long Beach: an Exhibition /Organized by the Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Program; Edited by Constance W. Glenn and Sue Taylor-Winter. Long Beach, Calif: The Museum. p. 5.
- ^ Wendt Terrace @ Google Maps.