John Twachtman (American, 1853-1902) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1853.  He began his early studies at the Ohio Mechanics’ Institute in 1868 and won prizes for his drawing in 1870 and 1871.  He then attended the McMicken School of Design until 1874. Frank Duveneck noticed his talent, became his teacher and eventually offered him space in his studio.  Twachtman traveled to Munich and studied at the Royal Academy and also traveled and taught in Venice, Holland, and Paris. Twachtman’s early style reflected the influence of Duveneck and the Munich School.  He traveled widely illustrating for Scribner’s, and painted in Yellowstone Park, however, most of his mature works were painted in on his 17-acre farm in Greenwich, where his palette became lighter. He spent his last days in Gloucester where his paintings reflected the bold, painterly style of his Munich years.  He is remembered as one of America’s leading Impressionists and a member of the "Ten American Painters" group. 

Studied

Ohio Mechanics Inst.; McMicken Sch. Des., Cincinnati with Duveneck, 1875; Royal Acad., Munich with Loefftz, 1875-77; went to Venice with Duveneck & W.M. Chase, 1877; Acad. Julian, Paris, with Boulanger & Lefevbre, 1883-85.

Member

SAA, 1879; Am. AC, Munich; Ten Am. Painters; NY Etching Club; Tile Club; Player’s Club.

Exhibited

Brooklyn AA, 1878-79 (Venetian scenes); PAFA Ann., 1879, 1893-1902, 1906-09 (gold 1895); Boston AC, 1881-82, 1896-97; Paris Salon, 1884; SAA, 1888 (prize); Columbian Expo, Chicago, 1893 (medal); Am. Art Gals., NYC, 1893 (work by Weir & Twachtman); St. Botolph Club, Boston, 1893 (work by Weir & Twachtman); CI, 1899 (prize); NAD, 1879-98; An Exh. by Ten American Painters, Durand-Ruel Gals., NYC, 1898 (the Ten’s first exh.) & St. Botolph Club, Boston, 1898; AIC, 1901 (solo); Durand-Ruel Gals., NYC, 1901 (solo); Knoedler Gals., NYC, 1904 (memorial exh.); Armory Show, 1913; Lotos Club, NYC, 1917; Cincinnati AM, 1966 (retrospective), 1999 (retrospective); Parrish AM, 1984 ("Painter-Etchers" exh.); Spanierman Gal., NYC, 1968, 1987, 1989 (solos); High Mus. of Art, Atlanta, 1999.