Karl Buesgen

Karl Buesgen, Sr. (December 25, 1917-December 14,1981) was an American landscape painter and Pennsylvania impressionist typically associated with the Baum Circle, a group of artists either taught by, associated with, or directly influenced by Pennsylvania impressionist painter Walter Emerson Baum.

Buesgen was born on December 25, 1917 in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. He was the only surviving son of Joseph Herman and Katherine ("née" Hörth) Buesgen, both second generation German immigrants who worked in Allentown's silk and textile mills. As a young man, Buesgen studied to become a musician, and trained in piano, organ and voice. His family was involved with Allentown's Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church (his grandfather, Henry Buesgen, was a founding member), and he soon became a student of organist and choirmaster John Birmelin. When Birmelin retired in 1950, Buesgen was given Birmelin's post - a position he would hold for the remainder of his life. Buesgen also actively worked as a piano, organ and voice teacher in Allentown, and served as organist and choirmaster for a number of local churches.

Buesgen was a dedicated student of painting, and studied with both Walter Emerson Baum (1884-1956) and John E. Berninger (1897-1981). Like most impressionist painters, Buesgen painted landscapes "en plein air" (directly from nature) or from colored slides of photographs he took with his camera.

The greatest influence to Buesgen's work was John E. Berninger, his friend and teacher. For 40 years, Berninger and Buesgen spent nearly every Saturday visiting and talking, and every Sunday afternoon painting together. This relationship continued until Berninger's death in 1981. Buesgen died later that same year.

During 2005, an exhibition of his works were shown at an exhibit in the David E. Rodale Gallery at the Baum School of Art. In 2006, Buesgen's work was included in an exhibition at the David E. Rodale Gallery at the Baum School of Art highlighting the work of the Baum Circle.

elected works

Further reading

*cite news |first=Geoff |last=Gehman |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Friendship and love of the outdoors united Buesgen and Berninger |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mcall/access/858122121.html?dids=858122121:858122121&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jun+23%2C+2005&author=Geoff+Gehman+Of+The+Morning+Call&pub=Morning+Call&edition=&startpage=E.6&desc=Friendship+and+love+of+the+outdoors+united+Buesgen+and+Berninger |format=fee required |work=The Morning Call | publisher= Tribune Company|pages= |page=E6 | date=2005-06-23 | accessdate= | language=English
*cite book | author=Peterson, Brian H. (Editor) | title=Pennsylvania Impressionism | location=Philadelphia | publisher=James A. Michener Art Museum and University of Pennsylvania Press | year=2002 | id=ISBN 0-8122-3700-5