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Armin hansen

Born in San Francisco in 1886, the well-traveled painter and etcher Armin Hansen was an explorer of life at sea, both on deck and even more so in capturing the spirit of marine life on canvas. He was exceptionally talented, achieved international recognition during his lifetime, and is considered by knowledgeable collectors to be one of Early California's most influential and successful artists.

Hansen studied at the San Francisco Art Institute under Arthur Mathews, then at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fires destroyed much of his home city. Hansen’s attraction to marine life then led him to Niewpoort, Belgium, and from there he worked on board as a deckhand on Norwegian fishing trawlers and other commercial vessels.

He eventually returned to the United States and settled in Monterey in 1913. There, rejecting the more conservative traditions of California Impressionism and the modernist trends of his day, Hansen went on to fashion his uniquely robust style. Hansen's paintings feature dynamic, energetic brushwork and strong, rich colors. His chosen subjects were often the fishermen who worked on the docks and boats in the Monterey Bay. He also painted seascapes, landscapes, portraits, and depictions of cowboys and rodeo scenes.

Armin Carl Hansen was the recipient of numerous awards throughout his long career and he exhibited at the 1915 San Francisco World’s Fair Panama-Pacific International Exposition, winning the Silver Medal. He was elected as an associate to the elite National Academy of Design in 1926, and was one of the earliest members of the Carmel Art Association, serving as President twice. One of the best teachers of his day, Hansen's students included famous painters C.S. Price, E. Charlton Fortune, and Society of Six artist August Gay.

Hansen's paintings can be found in the permanent collections of many well-respected institutions, including the Fine Arts Museums of San Franciso, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the National Museum of American Art-Smithsonian.

For additional information, visit:

Armin Hansen Exhibit: The Artful Voyage - The Traditional Fine Arts Organization

Wikipedia