Note
William Wendt
(b. 1865, Bentzen, Germany - d. 1946, Laguna Beach, CA)
MOUNTAIN RANCH
c. 1920, Oil on canvas, 25 x 30 inches
Jonathan Art Foundation collection
William Wendt was born in Bentzen, Germany in 1865. At fifteen years of age Wendt immigrated to Chicago in 1880. With the exception of some evening classes at the Chicago Art Institute, Wendt never received any formal art training. In Chicago Wendt worked at a commercial art studio six days a week, and on his one day off, he would spend the day painting outdoors.
After a promising art career in Chicago, William Wendt moved to Los Angeles in 1906, purchasing the home of artists Elmer and Marion Wachtel. Wendt was a co-founder and first president of the California Art Club in 1911 and held the position for six years. In 1912 he was elected an Associate of the National Academy of Design in New York. In the same year, Wendt built a studio-home in Laguna Beach, which became a mecca for aspiring artists throughout Southern California.
In the 1920’s he spent a great deal of time living and painting in Laguna Beach, where many of his subjects are based. Wendt was heavily involved with and an influential mentor in the local art community, serving periodically on the CAC and as a founding member of the Laguna Beach Art Association.
Wendt's paintings are in the collections of renowned museums such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Laguna Art Museum, among others.