Simon Michael, American, 1905-1965. A 1930s oil on artist board Midwestern forest landscape. Signed "S.G. Michael" lower right, Art Cloister Detroit Gallery label verso. Image 14 x 10" high, framed 17 1/2 x 13 1/2" high overall.
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Bio:
Of Phoenician, Syrian and Lebanese heritage, Simon Michael was born in Pennsylvania and took private lessons in art with German artist John Drayhagen. Beginning in 1925, he spent several years in Paris, holding an exhibit and studying at L’Academie de la Grand-Chaumiere-Des Beaux Art.
When he returned to the U.S. in the 1930s, he painted Midwestern pastoral and forest landscapes while traveling through Ohio, Indiana and Michigan with Gutson and Lincoln Borglum, who carved Mount Rushmore. He eventually becoming known as the founder of the Rockport Art Community in Rockport, Texas. Extremely well-traveled, Michael settled in Rockport in 1948, starting the Simon Michael School of Fine Art. Many consider his influence is still felt throughout South Texas through the many established traditions still evident in the local art community, including plein air painting outdoors of scenes such as workboats in the harbors.