Yesterday was a lucky day–I discovered an artist new to me: Carl Gaertner (1898-1952). Gaertner’s reputation is almost entirely local to Cleveland, as Robert Smith‘s is confined to Dayton.
Gaertner was born in Cleveland and lived in and around there until his death. He taught for many years at the Cleveland Institute of Art. The Bonfoey Gallery has several of his works–oils and gouache–on display just now. One of his much loved themes was Cleveland itself. He painted numerous scenes of everyday life during Cleveland’s brawny heyday–scenes filled with urban and industrial artifacts. Bonfoey has several wonderful gouaches of these subjects.
Later, if my information is correct, he moved outside the city and took up themes of rural life, such as this delightful oil.
Gaertner had a strong design sense, as shown in this sea-lake-scape.
His designs have an elegant economy. His touch is assured and firm.