User:IrishRhino/sandbox
Alexander Nelke | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Alexander nelke circa 1936 | |
| Born | Sergei Alexander Nelke December 14, 1894 |
| Died | August 14, 1974 (aged 79) |
| Known for | Artist, primarily seascapes and masted ship paintings. |
| Style | Realism |
Sergei Alexander Nelke (December 14, 1894 — August 8, 1974) was an Estonian-American artist in the mid to late 20th Century. He is primarily known for his seascapes and tall masted ship paintings.
Early life
Nelke was born on December 14, 1894 to Karl and Anna Nelke and was the youngest of three sons (Boris and Waldemar). Their father was a carriage maker and worked on the ceremonial carriage that was built for Queen Victoria when she visited Russia in 1894. Being the son of a carpenter, Nelke also took up the trade (as did his brothers before him), working as a carpenter on sailing vessels. He eventually became an expert ships carpenter and rigger. He was an authority on the riggings of square rigged sailing vessels and was often consulted on high-end ship models. Nelke would spend over fifteen years at sea before finally settling in Brooklyn, near his brother Waldermar. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1936.
Career as an artist
Nelke was primarily self taught as an artist and began painting by using cut up sails as canvas out at sea. After settling in America, Nelke worked out a studio in Brooklyn where he studied for a time under William C. Ehrig. His love of the sea and background in shipbuilding allowed him to produce highly detailed and accurate paintings of rigged vessels. This attracted interest in the commercial market and Nelke was commissioned to paint several pieces which would be on playing cards or prints.
Nelke exhibited was a member of the Salons of America, who exhibited his work in 1934 & 1936. He also exhibited with The Society of Independent Artists in 1934, 1936, 1938, 1940 and 1944.
At the age of 79, Nelke died in his Bronx, NY apartment on August 8, 1974. He is buried near his brother Waldmar in [Wappingers Falls, New York|Wappingers Falls, NY]].
References
- The Artists Bluebook, AskART.com Inc. - Dunbier, Lonnie Pierson (Editor) - 2005
- Davenport's Art Reference: The Gold Edition - Davenport, Ray - 2005
- Who Was Who in American Art, 1564-1975 - Falk, Peter Hastings (Editor) - 1999
- Index of Artists: International-Biographical - Mallett, Daniel Trowbridge - 1935