A Midwest Perspective
Anexhibition&saleofartworkbyAnnArborartist
LeonA.Makielski,1885-1974
FROM THE DIRECTOR
The Michigan Art Gallery is delighted to present Leon Makielski: A Midwest Perspective,acaptivatingsurveyofMidwestpaintingsbyAnnArborartistLeon Makielski(1885–1974).Thiscollectionshowcaseshismasterfulfusionofclassic FrenchImpressionismwiththerichtraditionofMidwesternpleinairpainting.
Acquireddirectlyfromtheartist’sfamily,manyoftheseworkshaveneverbeen publiclydisplayed.Primarilysourcedfromthefamilyfarmhouse,thecollection reflects Makielski’s lifelong dedication to capturing the natural beauty of his surroundingsacrossIndiana,Illinois,andMichigan.Recognizedbycollectorsand scholarsasasuccessortotheAmericanImpressionistlandscapetraditionsofthe HoosierFive,Makielski’sworkinvitesviewerstofindtranquilityintheeverydayand appreciatetheuniquetopographyandseasonalcolorsoftheMidwest.
OnbehalfofthefamilyandheirsofLeonMakielski,wearehonoredtosharehis artisticvisionwithyou.
Elizabeth O’Connell Art Director
The Michigan Art Gallery at Schmidt’s Antiques Inc.
Leon Makielski: A Midwest Perspective
1.A1904oilonartistboardSouthBend,Indiana,landscapewiththeStandpipewatertowerandsmoke stackfromtheStudebakerBrothersManufacturingCompanyviewedfromtheSt.JoeRiver.Signed"Leo A.Makielski"lowerright,dated"1904"verso.Image93/4x63/4"high,framed103/4x73/4"high overall.
INDIANA
“It was not so long ago that an artist in the embryo stage was discovered working industriously on some small copies of the works available in the Art Institute of Chicago, which was the only available material at the time. It was quite evident, judging from the copies hanging about the office of the township trustee in the basement of our courthouse [South Bend, Indiana], that a young genius had made his appearance.”
-SouthBendTimes,January11,1914
Leon Makielski:
BorninMorrisRun,Pennsylvaniain1885,LeonMakielskiwasthethirdofelevenchildrenborntoPolish immigrantparents.Attheageoffour,hisfamilyrelocatedtoSouthBend,Indiana.Growingupina Polish-speakinghousehold,"paint"wasthefirstEnglishwordMakielskilearned.
SouthBend,Indiana,alongtheStJoeRiver,circa1902 TheStandpipewatertower,alsoknownasthe“RoseTower,” wasbuiltin1873anddemolishedin1930.
“Ever since I can remember I wanted to draw and paint. I used to draw on the margin of my school books and get roundly scolded for it. Then as a young man I had to help support our family, which was large, and I got job at the county clerk’s office at South Bend.”
-LeonMakielski,DetroitMetroTimes interview,May11,1930
JamesReed,asuperiorintheSouthBendClerkingoffice,broughtMakielskitotheattentionofIndiana artistClarenceBall(1858-1915).Ballhighlyencouragedpleinairpainting,andheprovidedMakielskiwith referencestopaintingmaterialsandtheiruses.
“He was urged to go out and study in the fields and woods, where he would find not only genuine inspiration, but learn first hand to interpret the beauties of nature that present themselves to the seeker for truth and knowledge. He was guided to direct his attention to the fundamental work necessary to success – to get in touch with nature, to understand, if possible, her moods.”
-SouthBendTribune,March12,1921
2.A1910soiloncanvasSouthBend,Indiana, landscapewithaviewoftheStandpipewater towerandtheJeffersonStreetBoulevardBridge viewedfromtheSt.JoeRiver.Signed“LeonA. Makielski”lowerright.Image211/2x151/2" high,framed301/4x241/4"highoverall.
Leon Makielski: A Midwest
FollowingBall’ssuggestions,Makielskicarriedhiseasel,paletteandhissketching“traps”tothefields adjacenttoSouthBend,wherehefoundinspirationforhisbrushandatoncebegantodevelophiscreative facultyundertheopensky.
AftermakingprogressindepictingthescenesofSouthBendandneighboringpoints,andwiththe enthusiasticencouragementofBall,MakielskienteredclassesattheArtInstituteofChicagoin1903.
4.A1908oilonartistboardSouthBend, Indiana,sunriselandscapewiththeStandpipe watertowerinthedistantbackground,titled “Dawn”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lower left,titledanddated“1908”verso.Image11 1/2x81/2"high,framed131/4x101/4" highoverall.
3.A1905oilonartistboardSouthBend,Indiana, autumnlandscapewithaviewoftheriversidepark alongtheSt.JoeRiver,titled“HowardPark”.Signed “LeoA.Makielski”lowerright,titledanddated“1905” verso.Image81/2x51/2"high,framed10x7"high overall.
5.A1900s-1910soilonwoodpanelSouthBend, Indiana,summerlandscapewiththeUniversityofNotre Dame'sGoldenDome,titled“SummeratNotreDame”. Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright,titledverso. Image151/2x121/2"high,framed201/2x171/2" highoverall.
6.A1930soilonartistboardSouthBend,Indiana,later summerlandscapewithaviewoftheUniversityofNotre Dame'sGoldenDomeandtheBasilicaoftheSacred Heart.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright.Image15 1/2x191/2"high,framed221/4x261/4"highoverall.
Leon Makielski:
From1903to1909MakielskistudiedattheArt InstituteofChicago,wherehewasawardedthe prestigiousJohnQuincyAdamsTraveling Fellowshipfouryearsinarow.Attheageof23 hebecameaninstructorattheInstituteand caughttheattentionofJohnM.Studebaker, presidentoftheStudebakerBrothers ManufacturingCompanyinSouthBend, Indiana.Studebakerbecameakeypatron, supportingMakielski’sfurtherartisticstudiesin EuropeattheAcadémieJulianandAcadémiede laGrandeChaumière.
FromEuropein1909,Makielskiwroteto Studebakerofhisdesiretoholdanexhibitionin SouthBenduponhisreturntoAmerica. Studebakerresponded:
“In reference to the exhibition you speak of in South Bend, I can see no objection to your making an exhibit of the kind. However, if your object in doing so is to sell your work, I am afraid you would not be successful. You probably realize by this time that this is not an art center. The people here [South Bend] do not take an interest in that kind of work to the extent they do in other places.”
- J.M.Studebaker,April20,1909
MakielskireturnedtoSouthBendin1913,and promptlyheldasuccessfulexhibitionwith ClarenceBall.ItwasheldbytheSouthBendArt CenterinStudebaker’sJ.M.S.Building,located on108NorthMainStreet.
TheJ.M.S.BuildingwasdesignedbyarchitectSolon SpencerBeman(1853-1914)andbuiltin1910by JohnM.Studebaker(1833–1917).
7.A1900s-1910soilonartistboardSouthBend, Indiana,summerlandscapewithaviewofthe UniversityofNotreDame'sGoldenDomeandthe BasilicaoftheSacredHeartfromadistance,titled “UniversityofNotreDame”.Signed“LeonA. Makielski”lowerright,titledverso.Image12x8 3/4"high,framed161/4x13"highoverall.
Leon Makielski: A Midwest
9.A1920soilonartistboardSouthBend, Indiana,landscapewithaviewofPinhook ParkfromtheSt.JoeRiver,titled“Pinhook”. Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerleft,titled verso.Image111/2x81/2"high,framed13x 10"highoverall.
8.A1913oilonartistboardSouthBend,Indiana, landscapewithaviewofSt.Mary'sAcademy,titled “St.Mary's”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerleft, titledanddated“1913”verso.Image10x81/4"high, framed111/2x93/4"highoverall.
10. A1919oilonartistboardSouthBend,Indiana, springlandscapeviewedfromtheSt.JoeRiver,titled “ReflectionsinSpring”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski” lowerright,titledanddated“1919”verso.Image11 1/2x81/2"high,framed171/2x141/2"high overall.
11.A1920s-1930soilonartistboardSouth Bend,Indiana,summerlandscapewithaview ofthreetreesinfrontofSt.Mary's.Signed “L.A.Makielski”lowerright,titledverso. Image113/4x81/2"high,framed13x93/4" highoverall.
Leon Makielski:
12.A1920s-1930soilonartistboardSouthBend, Indiana,summerlandscapewithaviewoftheSt. JoeRiver,titled“PathbytheRiver”.Signed“Leon A.Makielski”lowerright,titledverso.Image111/2 x81/2"high,framed131/2x101/2"highoverall.
14.A1930soilonartistboardSouthBend,Indiana, summerlandscapewithaviewoftheSt.JoeRiver, titled“St.JoeRiverinSummer”.Signed“LeonA. Makielski”lowerright,titledverso.Image111/2x8 1/2"high,framed131/4x101/4"highoverall.
13.A1920soiloncanvasSouthBend,Indiana, springlandscapewithaviewoftheUniversity ofNotreDame'sGoldenDomeandthe BasilicaoftheSacredHeart.Signed“LeonA. Makielski”lowerleft.Image311/4x251/4" high,framed361/2x301/2"highoverall.
InvitedtojointhefacultyattheUniversityofMichiganin1915,Makielskineverlostthedesignationof “oneofSouthBend’sillustrioussons”(SouthBendTribune,February6,1949).Hewouldremainvery attachedtoSouthBendfortherestofhislife.InaDecember1922lettertoprominentSouthBend resident,Mrs.Erskine,Makielskiwrote:
“I have been away from that city [South Bend, Indiana], studying art in this country and abroad. I have always been interested in South Bend and its people, and am proud to belong to that city. If I could be in some way instrumental in making the city as artistically great in the future as it ranks commercially today, I would be most happy.”
-LeonMakielski,December1922
Leon Makielski:
15.A1908oiloncanvasOregon,IllinoisharvestlandscapewithaviewoftheRockRiverinthe background.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”anddated“1908”lowerleft.Image231/2x191/2"high,framed 261/2x221/2"highoverall.
ILLINOIS
“Here [Chicago, Illinois] he found renewed inspiration. His instructors saw at once the evidence of genius in his work and kindly gave much attention. The pupils about him were all more advanced than he in their knowledge of art matters, and at once he began to work among them with an insatiable desire to produce work like that which he saw about him on every hand.”
-SouthBendTimes,IndianaArtistSeries,1913
Leon Makielski:
In1903,MakielskilefthishomeinSouthBend,Indiana,tostudyattheArtInstituteofChicago,wherehe receivedinstructionfromRalphClarkson(1861-1942).AttheturnofthecenturyChicagowasamajor artisticcenter,andthefiveHoosierImpressionists-TheodoreSteele,OttoStark,WilliamForsyth,Richard Gruelle,andJohnOtisAdams-werethemostprominentartisticforceintheMidwest.Makielskiwould haveseentheirworkintheannualexhibitionsoftheSocietyofWesternArtistsattheInstitute.
17.A1906oilonartistboardruralIllinoislate summerlandscape,titled“HayStacks”.Signed “L.A.Makielski”lowerleft,titledanddated“1906” verso.PaintedwhileMakielskiwasastudentatthe ArtInstituteofChicago.Image83/4x53/4"high, framed93/4x63/4"highoverall.
16.A1905oilonwoodpanelstilllife,titled “Fruit”.Signed“LeoA.Makielski”anddated “1905”lowerright,titledverso.Paintedwhile MakielskiwasastudentattheArtInstituteof Chicago.Image111/2x81/2"high,framed15 1/2x121/2"highoverall.
18.A1905oilonwoodpanelfloralstilllife,titled “Thistles”.Signed“L.A.Makielski”lowerright,titledand dated“1905”verso.PaintedwhileMakielskiwasastudentat theArtInstituteofChicago.Image81/4x111/2"high, framed121/4x151/2"highoverall.
“He made rapid strides in his work and so pleased one of the leading painters in Chicago [Lorado Taft], who is a member of a little group of artists having summer homes at Oregon, Ill., that he [Makielski] was invited to spend a fortnight in their colony, which was extended to a month and finally the entire season.”
-SouthBendTimes,IndianaArtistSeries,1913
THE EAGLE’S NEST COLONY, OREGON, ILLINOIS
RenownedAmericanRenaissanceartistLoradoTaft(1860-1936)wasoneofseveralartistswhoformedthe Eagle’sNestArtColonyinOregon,Illinois.Eagle'sNestwasthemostimportantsummerartcenterinthe MidwestandattractedsuchnotablesasthepaintersRalphElmerClarksonandCharlesFrancisBrowne,as wellastheinfluentialwritersHamlinGarlandandHenryB.Fuller.
Makielskispentthesummerandautumnmonthsof1907and1908inthecolony,andin1908heexhibited seventy-eightpaintingsintheArtRoomoftheOregonPubliclibrary.
“The artists’ camp at Eagle’s Nest is framed in a royal setting of autumn tints in oaks and poplars and wreaths of bittersweet. The studio-haunting few have no conception of the art life as it may be lived in the forest with no walls save the brim of the crystal horizon, no dome but the arched sky above. The landscape has a russet cloak through which the river winds like a silver thread, the soft smoke of peace pipes seems to filter through the balmy air, and art has gone her ways in quest of nature.”
-OgleCountyRepublican,October29,1908
20.A1907-1908oiloncanvasOregon, Illinois,autumnlandscapewithaviewofthe upperRockRiverbank,titled“EarlyFall”. Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerleft,titled versooncanvasloweredge.Image163/4x13 1/2"high,framed203/4x171/2"highoverall.
19.A1908oilonartistboardOregon,Illinois,late summerlandscape,titled“HarvestinOatField”. Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright,titledand dated“1908"verso.Image111/2x81/2"high, framed131/4x101/4"highoverall.
21.A1908oilonartistboardOregon,Illinois,late summerlandscape,titled“WheatField”.Signed “LeonA.Makielski”lowerright,titledanddated “1908”verso.Image111/2x81/2"high,framed13 x10"highoverall.
22.A1907-1908oilonartistboardOregon, Illinois,overcastlandscapewithaviewofthe RockRiver,titled“GrayDay”.Signed“LeoA. Makielski”lowerleft,titledverso.Image111/2 x81/2"high,framed131/4x101/4"high overall.
23.A1907-1908watercoloronpaper Oregon,Illinois,landscapewithaviewofthe upperbanksoftheRockRiver.Signed“Leo A.Makielski”lowerright.Image31/4x4 3/4"high,framed81/4x93/4"highoverall.
24.A1907oilonartistboardOregon,Illinois, latesummerlandscapewithaviewofafieldnear theRockRiver,titled“TheHarvest”.Signed “L.A.Makielski”lowerleft,titledanddated “1907”verso.Image111/4x81/4"high,framed 141/2x111/2"highoverall.
“The paintings are the fruits of summers and falls spent at Eagle’s Nest Camp and show views along the curving river, the harvest fields of golden wheat in July, the shocks of gathered corn in October, picturesque lanes, nooks in the forest, autumn tinted grasses on the bluffs, and those vistas that entrance the painter’s eyes.”
-OgleCountyRepublican,October29,1908
Leon Makielski:
25.A1907oilonartistboardOregon,Illinois, summerlandscapewithaviewofthesmokefrom localforestfires,titled“SettingSun”.Signed“L.A. Makielski”lowerright,titledwithannotationverso. Image83/4x53/4"highoverall,framed101/2x7 1/2"highoverall.
26.A1907-1908oiloncanvasOregon, Illinois,turnoftheseasonlandscapewithafield infrontofafarmhouse,titled“CornField”. Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright,titled versoonlowercanvasedgewithannotation “Oregon,Eagle'sNest”onstretcher.Image17 3/4x133/4"high,framed223/4x183/4" highoverall.
27a.A1907-1908oiloncanvasOregon,Illinois,hazyturnoftheseasonlandscapewithaviewofafield forharvest,titled“Landscape”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright,andtitledonpaperlabelverso. Image171/2x111/2"high,framed26x20"highoverall.
Leon Makielski: A
Theoriginal1908OregonPublicLibrary Eagle’sNestexhibitioncatalog.
TheEagle’sNestexhibitioncementedMakielski’s reputationasaremarkablecolorist.Inhissubtle studiesofgreyrivermists,richriverbankschoked withhuntergreenandochreshrubs,radiantfields punctuatedbymajesticOaks,hecapturedthe tempersofnatureandthoseelusiveeffectsthat subtlystirtheimagination.
HereturnedtoOregon,Illinoisseveraltimesinthe 1920sand1930s,unabletoshakethevisualfeastof colorthatawaitedhimalongtheRockRiver.
27b.A1920s-1930soilonMasoniteOregon, Illinois,autumnforestlandscapewithaviewofa stream,titled“ForestinAutumn”.Signed“L.A. Makielski”lowerright,titledverso.Image51/2 x81/2"high,framed71/2x101/2"high overall.
28.A1920s-1930soiloncanvasOregon, Illinois,harvestlandscape,titled“OatFieldin Harvest”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lower right,titledverso.Image311/4x251/4"high, framed361/2x301/2"highoverall.
Leon Makielski:
30.A1930soilonartistboardOregon,Illinois, autumnforestlandscape,titled“WoodsinAutumn”. Unsigned,titledverso.Image51/2x4"high, framed91/2x8"highoverall.
32.A1930soilonMasoniteOregon,Illinois, autumnlandscapestudywithaviewoftheRock River.Signed“L.A.Makielski”lowerleft.Image16 1/4x121/2"high,framed201/4x161/2"high overall.
29.A1930soilonMasoniteOregon,Illinois, autumnlandscapewithaviewoftheupperRock Riverbank.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lower right.Image17x13"high,framed201/4x161/4" highoverall.
31.A1930soilonMasoniteOregon,Illinois, autumnlandscapewithaviewoftheupperRock Riverbank.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerleft. Image163/4x131/2"high,framed203/4x17 1/2"highoverall.
Leon Makielski: A
33.A1918oilonwoodpanelAnnArbor,Michigan,summerlandscapewithaviewoftheHuronRiver nearGeddesroadpriortothebuildingoftheGeddesDamin1919,titled“OneMorning”.Signed“Leon A.Makielski”lowerright,titledanddated“1918”verso.Image151/2x121/2"high,framed21x18" highoverall.
MICHIGAN
“His latest works have a joyous unfinished appearance which leaves room for the imagination to work upon. Single strokes form trees or hills, or rivers, or rails. These Impressionistic pictures, which are the result of moments of inspiration, since Mr. Makielski cannot explain why certain lines give the impression of trees, or mountains, or woods, or streams – yet they do – were hidden by the author for many months before showing.”
-DetroitMetroTimes,March11,1923.
Leon Makielski: A Midwest
In1915,MakielskimovedtoAnnArbor,Michigan,totakeapositionasInstructorofFineArtsatthe UniversityofMichigan.HeiscreditedwithhelpingtolaunchtheUniversityofMichiganSchoolofArt.
WithintwoyearsofhisarrivalhemovedanoldbarnthatoverlookedtheHuronRivertoatwoacrelot offGeddesroadandconvertedthebarnintohishomeandstudio.Hetaught,paintedfuriously,and installedhighwindowsinthetwo-storyhaylofttogivehisstudioasoftnorthernlight.
34.A1920soilonwoodpanelAnnArbor, Michigan,summerlandscapewithaviewofa farmhouse,titled“OurFarm”Signed“LeonA. Makielski”lowerright,titledverso.Image153/4 x123/4"high,framed203/4x173/4"high overall.
“On one of the lesser hills that surround Ann Arbor, a temple to the art of painting has been raised by Leon A. Makielski, instructor in drawing and painting at the University of Michigan. The temple, which is now his home, cost little money, but required hundreds of hours of the artist’s time, for he did all the work from pouring the concrete foundations to hanging the curtain rods.
To get away from the crowded surroundings of the college studio, Mr. Makielski bought a two acre plot of ground on Geddes road that commanded a view of the surrounding country for miles. After classes at the university were over, Mr. Makielski drove to his studio, and worked strenuously each day until he was physically fatigued.”
-DetroitMetroTimes,March11,1923
35.A1920soilonwoodpanelAnnArbor, Michigan,summerlandscapewithbeehives viewedfromtheartist’sfrontporch,titled“The Beehives”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerleft, titledverso.Image113/4x83/4"high,framed 13x10"highoverall.
Leon Makielski:
37.A1919oiloncardboardAnnArbor, Michigan,turnoftheseasonlandscapewithtwo Oaks,titled“AutumnTrees”.Signed“LeonA. Makielski”lowerright,titledanddated“1919” verso.Image113/4x83/4"high,framed12 3/4x93/4"highoverall.
36.A1930s-1940soilonwoodpanelAnnArbor, Michigan,earlyautumnlandscapedepictingthe artist'shome,titled“MyHomeintheFall”.Signed “LeonA.Makielski”lowerleft,titledverso.Image 153/4x123/4"high,framed22x19"highoverall.
“I thoroughly enjoyed life in Ann Arbor, it is a beautiful spot. You see I wanted a pleasant place where I could paint. So one day I went above the boulevard and found some beautiful Oak trees. They were magnificent. Up on a hill looking over them was a barn. I had an idea. I would buy that barn and make a home of it. That barn will always be home to me.”
-LeonMakielski,DetroitMetroTimesinterview,May11,1930
39.A1919oilonwoodpanelDixboro, Michiganautumnharvestlandscapewithfigure, titled“FrostontheCornField”.Signed“Leon A.Makielski”lowerright,titledverso.Image11 1/4x81/2"high,framed141/4x111/2"high overall.
38.A1920soilonwoodpanelDexter,Michigan, summerlandscape,titled“TheEdgeoftheWood”. Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright,titled verso.Image93/4x73/4"high,framed113/4x9 3/4"highoverall.
Leon Makielski: A
InDetroit,Makielskimaintainedstudiosat3408 WoodwardAvenueand2932GratiotAvenue.He taughtdrawingandpaintingattheScarabClubas wellastheMeinzingerArtSchool.
Throughoutthe1920s-1930s,hebecameincreasingly knownastheportraitistofDetroit'selite.Hepainted portraitsoftheKresgefamily,AmbassadorBridge designerRalphModjeski,MichigangovernorFrank Murphy,architectanddesignerElielSaarinen,and manymore.In1923hepaintedaportraitofhis friend,RobertFrost.Thisportraitnowhangsinthe UniversityofMichiganMuseumofArt,andFrost acquiredalargecollectionofMakielski’slandscapes. Today,overfiftyofMakielski’sportraitsoffaculty membershanginotherUniversitybuildings.
MakielskiteachingfellowScarabClubmembersat 217FarnsworthStreet,Detroit,circa1950.
40.A1920s-1930soilonartistboardBelleIsle, Detroit,Michigan,landscapewithaviewofa smallcanalbridge,titled“BelleIsleBridge”. Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright,titled verso.Image111/2x81/2"high,framed13x 10"highoverall.
Makielskiposeswithhis1923portraitofUofM poet-in-residenceRobertFrost,publishedby theAnnArborNews,February,1963.
41.A1950swatercoloronpaperMichigan summerharvestlandscape,titled“Storm Clouds”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lower right,titledonScarabClubWatercolor Exhibitionlabelverso.Image191/4x141/4" high,framed273/4x233/4"highoverall.
Leon Makielski:
42.A1934-1935temperaonboardmuralstudydepictingYpsilanti,Michigan,communitymembers gatheredfora“workbee”in1924-1925toputthefinishingtouchesonthenewLincolnConsolidated School,locatedat8970WhittakerRoadinYpsilanti.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright.Image711/2 x24"high,framed77x32"highoverall.
DuringtheDepression,undertheauspicesoftheFederalArtProject,MakielskiandhisbrotherBronislaw (1901-2000)completedseveralmurals,includingthoseatFordsonHighSchoolinDearborn,RoyalOak HighSchool,andLincolnConsolidatedSchoolinYpsilanti.ThefiftyfootmuralexecutedintheLincoln Schoolwasdividedintothreesectionsthatwerededicatedin1936.
Theabovemural(#42)isastudyforthesecondofthethreesections,whichwasflankedbydepictionsof AbrahamLincolnbuildinghislogcabin,andadepictionoftheWillowRunbomberplant.
43.A1922oilonwoodpanelMichigansummer landscapewithaviewofafieldneartheedgeofthe woods,titled“WheatField”.Signed“LeonA Makielski”lowerright,titledanddated“1922” verso.Image113/4x83/4"high,framed123/4x 93/4"highoverall.
44.A1923oilonartistboardAnnArbor, Michigan,summerlandscapewithan automobile,titled“JacksonRoad”.Signed“Leon A.Makielski”lowerright,titledanddated“July 30,1923”verso.Image131/2x91/2"high, framed191/2x151/2"highoverall.
Leon Makielski: A Midwest
46.A1930oilonwoodpanelPortageLake, Michigan,stormysummerlandscape,titled “Storm”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright, titledanddated“1930”verso.Image113/4x83/4" high,framed133/4x103/4"highoverall.
45.A1920s-1930soilonartistboardLake Michigancoastallandscapewithsailboatsanda figure,titled“ASummerDayontheLake”. Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright,titled verso.Image83/4x51/2"high,framed101/4 x7"highoverall.
47.A1930stemperaonpaperMichigan coastalsummerlandscape,titled“Landscape inMichigan”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski” lowerright,titledverso.Image111/2x8 1/2"high,framed13x10"highoverall.
48.A1930soilonartistboardLakeMichigan stormycoastallandscapewithaviewofblowing trees,titled“ThunderCloud”.Signed“LeonA. Makielski”lowerright,titledverso.Image81/2x 111/2"high,framed10x13"highoverall.
Leon Makielski:
“Although a skilled and disciplined draftsman of the academic school, he has the freedom and daring of the moderns, together with sufficient individuality to make his work different without breaking away from traditions.”
-A.G.Pelikan,directoroftheMilwaukeeArtInstitute,1941
49.A1930sYpsilanti,Michigan,landscapewithaviewoftheformerCrossStreetBridgeinDepotTown, titled“Bridge”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerleft,titledverso.Image273/4x193/4"high,framed333/4 x253/4"highoverall.
50.A1930soilonMasoniteAnnArbor, Michigan,winterlandscapefeaturingtheartist's farm,titled“WinterattheFarm”.Signed“LeonA. Makielski”lowerright,titledverso.Image131/2x 91/2"high,framed161/2x121/2"highoverall.
51.A1910s-1920soilonboardMichiganharvest landscapewitharedbarn.Signed“LeonA. Makielski”lowerright.Image111/2x81/2"high, framed161/2x131/2"highoverall.
Leon Makielski: A
52.A1920s-1930soilonwoodpanelMichigan springlandscapewithaviewoftreesalonga meadow'sedge,titled“Spring”.Signed“LeonA. Makielski”lowerright,titledverso.Image11 1/2x81/2"high,framed13x10"highoverall.
54.A1923oilonartistboardAnnArbor, Michigan,summerlandscape,titled“Country Road”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lower right,titledanddated“July30,1923”verso. Image131/2x91/2"high,framed151/4x11 1/4"highoverall.
56.A1930soilonartistboardMichiganturn oftheseasonharvestlandscapewitharedbarn, titled“Harvest”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski” lowerright,titledverso.Image111/2x81/2" high,framed13x10"highoverall.
53.A1920s-1930soilonwoodpanelMichigan summerlandscapewitharedbarn,titled“The Farm”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright, titledverso.Image111/2x81/2"high,framed 171/2x141/2"highoverall.
55.A1910s-1920soilonartistboardMichigan, summerlandscape,titled“Summer”.Signed “LeonA.Makielski”lowerright,titledverso. Image111/2x81/2"high,framed131/2x10 1/2"highoverall.
Leon Makielski:
58.A1922oilonwoodpanelMichiganspring landscapeunderabigsky,titled“Spring”. Signed“LeonAMakielski”lowerleft,titledand dated“1922”verso.Image111/2x81/2"high, framed13x10"highoverall.
57.A1920soilonMasoniteWashtenaw County,Michigan,summerlandscapewitha grazingcowandredbarn,titled“Summer”. Signed“LeonA.Makielski”lowerright,titled verso.Image133/4x93/4"high,framed181/4 x141/4"highoverall.
59.A1920soilonboardAnnArbor,Michigan,turnoftheseasonlandscapewithOaksalongawinding road,titled“TheOldOaks”.SignedLeonA.Makielskilowerright,titledverso.Image151/2x121/2" high,framed211/2x181/2"highoverall.
Leon Makielski: A
61.A1930soilonMasoniteMichiganwinter landscapewithaviewofafarmhouseandredbarn, titled“WinterTime”.Signed“LeonA.Makielski” lowerright,titledverso.Image131/2x91/2"high, framed20x16"highoverall.
60.A1923oilonartistboardAnnArbor,Michigan, autumnlandscapewithaviewofapastureedgenear EarhartRoad,titled“Autumn”.Signed“LeonA. Makielski”lowerright,titledanddated“Sept.27, 1923”verso.Image133/4x93/4"high,framed23x 19"highoverall.
MaklielskiwasemployedasaninstructorattheUniversityof Michiganthrough1927,buthechosetoremaininAnnArbor untilhisdeathin1974HeviewedMichiganasanideal locationtotestnewmethodsandrefinehiscraft.Whilehe employednewtechniques,heseemedtoalwaysreturntohis owncolorfulexpressionofnature’sbeauty.
Hisrigorousacademictraining,combinedwiththe ImpressionistinfluencesheabsorbedinEuropeandhisdeep attachmenttothedistinctlyAmericanMidwestenvironment, indeliblyshapedhisapproachtolandscapepainting.Hisworks featuredisciplinedcompositions,richseasonalcolors,and poeticinterpretations,reflectinghisbeliefthatartshould capturenature’smessageratherthanmerelydepictits individualelements.
Leon Makielski: A Midwest
LeonMakielskiinhisDetroit studio,circa1940.
