Franz Bischoff

Franz Bischoff (1864-1929) was an American artist known primarily for his beautiful floral paintings and California landscapes. He was born in Bomen, Austria on January 9 1864 and as a young teenager immigrated to the United States where he became a naturalized citizen. While in Europe, his early training was focused upon applied design, watercolor and ceramic decorations.

California years

After having lived and worked in New York, Fostoria, Ohio and Dearborn, Michigan, Franz Bischoff decided to visit California in 1900 and ultimately chose to settle in Los Angeles in 1906. Shortly after arriving, he started making arrangements to design and build a large Italian Renaissance style home in Pasadena that also became his studio. This landmark home was completed in 1908.

Inspired by the California countryside, Bischoff set attempted to capture the area's brilliant light and diverse landscapes. Spending less time with ceramic painting, Bischoff painted local farms, fishing wharfs, and coastal landscapes. Recognized during his career for use of color and vivid composition, his paintings always displayed reverence for nature. One critic commented that some of his later works flirted with Expressionism and his use of colors were reminiscent of Fauvism. Franz Bischoff died in his adopted city of Pasadena, California on February 5, 1929.

Awards

* Huntington Prize, California Art Club, 1924

Galleries & public collections

* Laguna Beach Museum of Art, Laguna Beach, California
* Irvine Museum, Irvine, California
* Gardena High School, Gardena, California
* The Oakland Museum, California

Sources

* Literature: Hughes, Edan Milton, "Artists in California, 1786-1940", 1989
* Literature: Westphal, Ruth Lily, "Plein Air Painters of the Southland", 1996