For the last few years, I’ve been buying art linked to an obscure painter named Herbert A. Steinke.
I don’t consider myself an art collector. I just like stories — but more importantly, I enjoy looking at beautiful art!
The paintings have a very unique look. There’s a definite theme in them. Once you see them, I think you’ll agree.
Who Is Hebert A. Steinke?
He was a mid-century post-impressionist painter.
Herbert A. Steinke (1894–1982) was an American post-impressionist painter known for his evocative landscapes. Born in Wausau, Wisconsin, he studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and later earned a BFA from Yale University.
Steinke went on to spend thirty years as a teacher and Director of Art Education for the public school system in Albany, New York.
It’s not uncommon to see many of his works for sale in retails shops. He spent decades as an artist.
You can find postcards online showing him teaching students as early as the mid-1960s:
There’s A Theme In Steinke’s Paintings
Most of the paintings I’ve discovered by Steinke appear to be acrylic, but could be oil.
He usually uses his paints to create a very thick texture on the canvas depicting a still life scene.
His paintings almost always contain a burning candle somewhere in them. With wax dripping from the intensity of the heat, as pictured below:
The pictures usually contain round objects assumed to be fruits like apples and oranges. They also usually contain a jug or jar of some kind.
I Found Paintings That Appear To Be By His Students
Since he spent so many years teaching art, it was a fun surprise to find what I believe are paintings by his students this last week!
I bought two paintings by authors that look very much like they barrowed from Steinke’s style:
They’re very similar. However, one is signed by “Gray” and another seems to be signed by “Karry”.
Interestingly, the people who ran the market where I bought the paintings didn’t know who Herbert A Steinke was. But there’s no mistake about the resemblance!
They Sell At Auction
Steinke paintings pop up every now and then, but the still life paintings rarely go to auction!
You can see listings for his less desirable landscapes here.
However, there’s rarely a story told when people sell these paintings. They never talk about the students Steinke taught or the lives he touched.
But true beauty lies in the eye of the beholder! It’s not about money. It’s about appreciation!
So What Is Post-Impressionism?
In case you didn’t know, post-impressionism was a French movement.
The term originated from English art critic Roger Fry for works painted by 19th century painters like Paul Cezanne, Paul Ganguin, and Vincent Van Gogh. However, confusingly, Van Gogh was not French.
It broke from the traditional views of art in the day by introducing a more abstract way of expressing the world. Less formalized lines and lighting.
Post-impressionist paintings literally blur the lines of reality on canvas!
I once watched an episode of Pawn Stars, where host Rick Harrison described the post-impressionist movement in humorously accurate terms:
“Impressionism: blurry. Post-impressionism: very blurry.”
The blurred paintings are more expressive and leave more to the imagination. That’s what makes them creative.
Building A Story
The art we buy is the story we tell.
I don’t really have an object with this hobby. I just love the journey!
Seeing what creativity someone else has and finding a way to appreciate it.
