Dahlgreen, Charles W. (Charles William)
(b. 1864
d. 1955)
Painter, Printmaker, EtcherChicago, , Ill.,
Autobiography, 1940 400 p.
Autobiography written at age 75, ca. 1940. He recalls growing up in Chicago as the son of German immigrants; and his father, a dyer and alcoholic. He recounts an incident when he assisted Cyrus McCormick in testing a machine in a field. To earn money to help his family, Dahlgreen painted signs and emblems, did gilding and lettering, painted landscapes ("buckeyes") as piece work, engaged in sharpshooting contests for money and prizes, and frequently hunted. In the mid 1880s he went to Dusseldorf and enrolled in the Kunstgeverbe Schule, where he studied for 3 years. On his return to Chicago in 1888 he stopped painting in order to earn a living, believing that it was necessary for him to save a certain amount of money before he could resume his art studies. He opened his own business painting flags, banners, wagons, etc. In 1898 he went to Alaska by train and boat to take part in the Gold Rush. He writes in detail about crossing the Chilkoot Pass, Dawson, the hardships of travel, the honesty and helpfulness of most of the men he met, efforts at prospecting, and numerous other experiences. He returned again in 1899 and was able to sell his claim and earn enough to permit him, at age 40, to resume his art studies. He studied landscape painting under J.C. Johansen, attended the Art Institute of Chicago for 4 years, and took up etching. He writes of his passion for and experiences painting outdoors, especially in Brown County. In 1909 he went to Worpswede, Germany, to study color etching under Hans am Ende but was disillusioned by the man's attitude to others, quit, and bicycled to Amsterdam, painting and sketching en route. He remained there for several weeks while copying paintings by Hals and Rembrandt in the museums; and writes of his meeting Benjamin F. Landis, a professional copyist from Philadelphia. He then went to the Hague where he copied Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson, and to Paris with art student Leon Makielski. He praises the Paris art school system, notes that he and Makielski had their paintings accepted in the Salon of 1910, and expresses his shock at seeing the Modern show at the Independent Galleries. They went to Giverny where they met other artists, as well as the son of Claude Monet; and went to London, where they attended the funeral of King Edward. Back in Chicago, he concentrated on etching; had shows at the Albert Roullier Gallery; and writes of his experiences on juries. He made friends with the actor Henry Kolker; went on painting trips to the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and to Taos with his "studio on wheels"; and painted there with Nicolai Fechin. Eventually his eyesight began to deteriorate and he was forced to give up etching. He ends his autobiography with memories of many deer and duck hunting trips.
Microfilm reel(s): Microfilm reel 3953, frames 8-420.
Location of Originals: Reel 3954, frames 877-922: Originals returned to the lender, Grant Dahlgreen, after microfilming.
Forms Part of: Charles W. Dahlgreen papers