Original Figurative Drawing by Odon Hullenkremer

This original figurative drawing by Odon Hullenkremer captures a lively beach scene in Miami, where mothers and children are depicted in various relaxed poses. Likely created during a family vacation, the drawing reflects Hullenkremer's dedication to his craft, as he sketched daily, no matter where he traveled.

Executed in Conté crayon with touches of sanguine and white on gray laid paper, the piece demonstrates Hullenkremer's mastery of delicate linework and subtle shading. The ribbed texture of the paper enhances the depth and softness of the figures, bringing a sense of movement and atmosphere to the composition.

Signed "Odon Hullenkremer, Miami," this intimate study is beautifully framed and matted, with the artist's name and years inscribed on the mat. A rare glimpse into Hullenkremer's artistic process, this drawing exemplifies his keen observational skills and sensitivity to the human form.

Odon Hullenkremer (1888-1978) was a renowned portrait and genre painter dedicated to traditional realism. Born in Budapest, Hungary, he displayed artistic talent from a young age and was awarded first prize in a painting competition at age 15, earning recognition from Emperor Franz Josef I. He trained at the Hungarian Royal Academy of Fine Arts, the Royal Academy of Arts in Munich, and the Académie Julian in Paris, where he received the Grand Prize Medal.

His career took him across Europe, North Africa, and the Americas before settling in the U.S. in 1914. After years in Toledo, Ohio, he moved to Santa Fe in 1933, where he became a prominent figure in the local art scene. He was known for his masterful draftsmanship, psychological depth in portraiture, and rejection of modernist trends. His work was exhibited widely, including multiple shows at the Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe, and he contributed to WPA mural projects across the Southwest.

Later in life, Hullenkremer reduced his painting schedule to focus on teaching and volunteer work with the American Red Cross. He remained deeply committed to the European academic tradition, ensuring his place in art history as a defender of realism.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: This Original Figurative Drawing by Odon Hullenkremer  is from a private collection.

Recommended Reading: Artists of 20th-Century New Mexico: The Museum of Fine Arts Collection by Author Unknown

TAG: Western Art, Odon Hullenkremer