Harold Von Schmidt (1893 - 1982)

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Harold von Schmidt Biography

Harold von Schmidt created paintings of the American West so realistic and full of energy that it seems like he must have witnessed events like wagon trains, buffalo hunts, and cowboys firsthand. Although he was born in California in 1893 — too late to experience the old West himself — he grew up hearing vivid stories from his grandfather, who had traveled west by wagon train in 1849 and claimed to be the first white man to see Yosemite Valley. Raised by his aunt and uncle, Von Schmidt was encouraged both in his artistic pursuits and to seek out a wide range of experiences to fuel his creativity.

He studied at the California College of Arts and Crafts and apprenticed under Maynard Dixon, a leading California painter at the time, paying for lessons by modeling for him. Before finding success, Von Schmidt took on many different jobs and even worked for a billboard company during a time when California considered banning outdoor ads. To improve the quality of their work, he hired top West Coast artists to design more artistic billboards.

In 1924, Von Schmidt moved to New York and began building his reputation as an illustrator. After marrying in 1927, he settled in Westport, Connecticut, where he worked from a home studio. During World War II, the Air Force recruited him as a war correspondent in Europe, where he documented the daily lives of soldiers and even flew on bombing missions. Later, he went to Japan to capture scenes of Americans living and working during the occupation.

Today, twelve of Von Schmidt’s paintings about the Gold Rush and westward expansion hang in the Governor’s office in Sacramento, and five of his Civil War paintings are part of the permanent collection at West Point. He mainly painted in oils, believing they offered the richest results. His palette — a large, paint-caked table — was never cleaned, serving as a tool to help match colors over time. Passionate about inspiring younger artists, Von Schmidt often spoke of trying to capture the music and beauty he saw in American life.