William Hermann Schmedtgen was born in Chicago, Illinois and studied at the Chicago Institute of Art. 1883 found him employed as a staff artist with the Old Chicago mall Newspaper; however, he did not remain long, having decided to pursue a career as a commercial artist in Saint Louis, Missouri and New York City. 19th century artist William Schmedtgen returned to Chicago in 1886 and joined the Chicago Record as head of the art staff where he remained until 1901. He sketched the hanging of the four men found guilty of the 1886 Chicago Haymaker Square bombing and riots. He traveled with American forces during the Spanish American War (1898) where he documented naval maneuvers and landed with the army at Baiquiri. He traveled and sketched with the army until two days after the Battle of San Juan Hill. Schmedtgen returned to civilian life and his job as a newspaper illustrator; however, he turned to the outdoors and wildlife illustration apparently as an antidote to stress.

Call now to talk about your interest in this William Hermann Schmedtgen (American, 1862 – 1936) painting: 724-459-0612 - Jerry Hawk, Bedford Fine Art Gallery