Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Robert Jenkins Onderdonk
"Toluca, Mexico" by Robert Onderdonk (1852-1917)

Circa 1912

About the Item

Robert Jenkins Onderdonk (1852 - 1917) San Antonio Artist Toluca, Mexico painting. Mexican Street Scene Image Size: 11 x 8 Frame Size: 15 x 12 Medium: Oil "Toluca, Mexico" Circa 1912 This piece was painted in 1912 when Robert & his wife went to visit his son who was working in Mexico City at that time. Robert Onderdonk is considered the "Dean" of Texas Painters. Robert Jenkins Onderdonk (1852 - 1917) Robert Jenkins Onderdonk is noted for his landscape and portrait paintings and also for his fine art teaching. Onderdonk was born in Catonsville, Maryland in 1852. He was the father of Robert Julian Onderdonk and Eleanor Rogers Onderdonk, also distinguished Texas artists. He received an academic education at the College of St. James, Catonsville, followed by studies at the National Academy of Design in 1872 under the instruction of Lemuel Everett Wilmarth. In 1875, Onderdonk attended Art Students League of New York and received instruction from Walter Shirlaw, James Carroll Beckwith and William Merritt Chase. Onderdonk moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1878 where he made a living teaching and selling his paintings. In 1889 he moved to Dallas, where he painted several portraits for the Huburt Portrait Company, followed by employment with the Art Students League of Dallas. In 1896, Onderdonk returned to San Antonio, Texas where he continued to paint until his death in 1917. Onderdonk was a member of the Allied Artists of America; Salmagundi Club, New York, and the San Antonio Art League. Exhibitions included the Annual Exhibition of the State Fair of Texas, Dallas; Dallas Art Association; Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis; Annual Texas Artists Exhibition, Fort Worth; Annual Exhibition, National Academy of Design, New York, and the San Antonio Art League. Source: John and Deborah Powers, "Texas Painters, Sculptors, and Graphic Artists" Robert Jenkins Onderdonk was born at St. Timothy's Hall, Catonsville Maryland, in 1852. He had a very thorough academic education and was always sketching family members, classmates and landscapes on the back of his school books. This sketching ethic was a process he subscribed to his entire life, always carrying a sketch book with him where ever he went, like a camera of today. Deciding to make art his profession, Robert moved to New York. He was not only a part of the academic beginnings of American art while studying in New York at the renowned National Academy of Design in 1870, but also one of the first student members, under the instruction of Lemuel Everett Wilmarth, at the Arts Students League. At the League, Robert also studied and honed his craft with other teachers including Walter Shirlaw, William Merritt Chase and James Carroll Beckwith. Some of his classmates included: George Inness, Jr., Frederick Stuart Church, John Henry Twachtman and a Texan from San Antonio named Edward Grenet. Robert was lured to Texas in 1879 by his childhood friend and rancher, William Negely and by stories he read in the tabloids of the day that touted Texas as the "Promised Land." Robert found the light, people and atmosphere of San Antonio agreeable and quickly settled in. He soon met a fellow Texas artist, Emily Gould, whom he married in 1881. They lived with her parents in a house called "Bella Vista" throughout their lives. The house was two miles north of town, had a wonderful view of the city and still stands today. Here Robert lived and taught art classes, painted portrait commissions, landscapes, still lifes and supported his family. Some of his students, who later became well-known Texas artists, were Mary Bonner, Seymour Thomas, Edward D. Eisenlohr, and Rolla Taylor. Robert worked hard and encouraged his students to do their best. Robert was part of and organized several of the first art clubs in Texas, further helping to develop an interest in Texas art in the State and nationwide, but also giving Texas and American artists places to display their works, win awards and achieve much needed recognition. He helped organize "The Brass Mug Club," a revered group of San Antonio artists that met on Sundays to enjoy friendship and go into the Texas Hill Country and paint. Members included Julian Onderdonk (Robert's son), José Arpa, Leo Cotton, Rolla Taylor, Tom Brown and Ernst Raba. In 1912, Robert and Julian were involved in the organization of the San Antonio Art League, the first important art organization in Texas with the mission to establish a free public gallery in San Antonio with exhibitions, lectures and classes in art. Later, larger exhibitions that needed more room due to the extreme popularity of the League and its awards were held at the Witte Museum in San Antonio. While living in Dallas from 1889 to 1895, and in order to obtain commissions, Robert organized the first Dallas art school, the Dallas Arts Students League, where he was president and instructor. In 1905, Robert was chosen to select artists from New York and Texas to be represented and judged at the Dallas Fair, which later became the State Fair of Texas. In 1901, Robert was commissioned by well-known Texas historian and writer, James T. DeShields, to paint a large historic painting of the Alamo battle. He used his family, friends and fellow artists for this painting, including his son. Robert even put himself in the painting, as one of the Alamo Defenders, taking a mortal shot from the enemy and falling backwards. The painting took three years to complete. The Fall of The Alamo was first exhibited at the St. Louis Worlds Fair in 1904. Among Robert's important commissions were the illustrations he provided for feared Texas gunfighter John Wesley Hardin's autobiography, The Life of John Wesley Hardin, published in 1896. This was a courageous task by Onderdonk considering that Hardin, who had killed over forty men, was the fastest gun in the West, East, North or South. When Robert Jenkins Onderdonk died in 1917 at the age of sixty-five at his home in San Antonio, he was known as the dean of Texas artists. His contributions to Texas art and the early artists of Texas were well-known and well-respected. Written by Peter C. Rainone, as published in American Art Review, June 2008 Robert Onderdonk was educated at the College of St. James in Maryland where his father was headmaster. At 20, he studied for two years at the National Academy of Design, under Wilmarth, then at the Art Students League under Shirlaw and Beckwith. He was the private pupil of A H Warren, a tonalist painter known as "the Corot of America." In 1878, he concluded his art studies with William Merritt Chase. To earn funds for a European trip he never made, Onderdonk was persuaded to establish his studio in San Antonio in 1878. By 1881 he was married, living near Pedro Spring, and taking the mule car to his studio in the city. He always carried with him a wood panel such as the top of a cigar box so he could paint small scenes. For his studio classes he charged $3 per month. He moved to Dallas in 1889, when offered $100 a month to teach. After his father-in-law died in 1896, he returned to San Antonio where he remained except for a trip to St. Louis in 1899 to try commercial painting on tile. Not ambitious, not robust, not careful in signing his paintings, he received commissions for hundreds of portraits without being able to earn a suitable living. Even his epic "Davy Crockett's Last Stand" brought him only to say, "No one cares for historical pictures." Source: Peggy and Harold Samuels, "Encyclopedia of ARTISTS of THE AMERICAN WEST, 1985, Castle Publishing Please view my 1stdibs store front for other Great Vintage Texas Paintings & Fine American Art. We carry Vintage, Mid Century & Contemporary
  • Creator:
    Robert Jenkins Onderdonk (1852 - 1917, American)
  • Creation Year:
    Circa 1912
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Professionally Cleaned. Please view my 1stdibs store front for other Great Vintage Texas Paintings & Fine American Art. We carry Vintage, Mid Century & Contemporary.
  • Gallery Location:
    San Antonio, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU76932787951

More From This Seller

View All
"PIKE PLACE PUBLIC MARKET" FRAMED 34 X 46 CITY STREET SCENE G. HARVEY
By G. Harvey
Located in San Antonio, TX
G. Harvey (Gerald Harvey Jones) (1933-2017) San Antonio, Austin, and Fredericksburg Artist Image Size: 24 x 36 Frame Size: 34 x 46 Medium: Oil on Canvas "Pike Place Public Market" G....
Category

1990s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

"J. FRANK DOBIE AT PAISIANA"
Located in San Antonio, TX
Edward Lee Reichert (1919-2011) Texas Artist Image Size: 18 x 24 Frame Size: 23.25 x 29.25 Medium: Oil Dated 1976 "J. Frank Dobie at Paisiana Biography Edward Lee Reichert (1919-2011) Edward Reichert, architect, designer and artist, is a native Texan who has combined regional, national and international study and practice of the visual art and architecture since 1936. He is a versatile artist and designer, skilled in creating quality landscapes, portraits, architectural, western, religious and varied work in all media. After 36 years of architectural practice based in Houston in which he was involved in the design of more than 400 regional and international projects, he now devotes full time to painting. Best known of his art works are his designs of stained and faceted art glass which include 100 panels designed for the First United Methodist Church of Houston. In 1983, he wrote and jointly published with the Church, Windows Sharing God’s Caring, an art book with photographs by his wife Elizabeth, illustrating and describing these panels and the historic sanctuary windows. While attending The University of Texas in Austin he served as art editor of the university publication Architecture, Engineering and Industry (1938-41). After receiving his Bachelor of Architecture Degree and the Alpha Rho Chi Architectural Medal in 1941, he was awarded scholarships for continued studies a M.I.T., Harvard, and Yale. As a Naval Reserve Officer during World II, he authored and illustrated Naval Intelligence publications. He became a Registered Architect in Texas in 1947, AIA member since 1951 and NCARB certified since 1974. He has worked and studied in England, Europe and Canada. Invitational study and travel with Master Painter, Lajos...
Category

1970s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

"AROUND THE BEND" TEXAS COREOPSIS
By CLIFF CAVIN
Located in San Antonio, TX
Cliff Cavin Texas Artist Image Size: 26 x 30 Frame Size: 33 x 37 Medium: Oil "Around The Bend" Biography Cliff Cavin Cliff Cavin, a native of San Antonio, Texas, is a landscape artis...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

"LOST MAPLES TEXAS"
Located in San Antonio, TX
Carl Hoppe 1897-1981 San Antonio Artist Image Size: 28 x 28 Frame Size: 33.5 x 33.5 Medium: Oil "Lost Maples" Texas Biography Carl Hoppe 1897-1981 Carl Thomas Hoppe, born 22 August 1897 in San Antonio, TX, son of German immigrants August and Teresa Hoppe, died 15 January 1981 in San Antonio at age 83 [San Antonio Express-News, 16 January 1981]. A resident of the Alamo Heights district, his primary employment was salesman at Joske's Department Store in San Antonio [San Antonio City Directory]. In the 1920s, he married Frances Rose, but they apparently had no surviving children. He was active as an artist in the mid 1900s through at least the 1960s. He is best known for landscapes in an impressionistic style. He signed his works with a simple "C. Hoppe" and sometimes included a brief descriptive phrase on the back of the painting or in pen & ink on a paper label with an inscription about the painting or the person to whom it was presented. Some of his original frames appear to be home-crafted. He is reported to have studied under several more-notable Texas artists who worked in the San Antonio area, including Porfirio Salinas, Robert Wood, Jose Arpa, and Julian Onderdonk. Upon opening an exhibit of his works at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, Texas in 1997, the museum curator stated "Hoppe's high place in the Hill Country art...
Category

1950s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

"TEXAS LONGHORNS" CATTLE RANCH
Located in San Antonio, TX
Edward Lee Reichert (1919-2011) Texas Artist Image Size: 14 x 18 Frame Size: 16.75 x 20.75 Medium: Oil Dated 2004 "Texas Longhorns" Biography Edward Lee Reichert (1919-2011) Edward Reichert, architect, designer and artist, is a native Texan who has combined regional, national and international study and practice of the visual art and architecture since 1936. He is a versatile artist and designer, skilled in creating quality landscapes, portraits, architectural, western, religious and varied work in all media. After 36 years of architectural practice based in Houston in which he was involved in the design of more than 400 regional and international projects, he now devotes full time to painting. Best known of his art works are his designs of stained and faceted art glass which include 100 panels designed for the First United Methodist Church of Houston. In 1983, he wrote and jointly published with the Church, Windows Sharing God’s Caring, an art book with photographs by his wife Elizabeth, illustrating and describing these panels and the historic sanctuary windows. While attending The University of Texas in Austin he served as art editor of the university publication Architecture, Engineering and Industry (1938-41). After receiving his Bachelor of Architecture Degree and the Alpha Rho Chi Architectural Medal in 1941, he was awarded scholarships for continued studies a M.I.T., Harvard, and Yale. As a Naval Reserve Officer during World II, he authored and illustrated Naval Intelligence publications. He became a Registered Architect in Texas in 1947, AIA member since 1951 and NCARB certified since 1974. He has worked and studied in England, Europe and Canada. Invitational study and travel with Master Painter, Lajos...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

"NOON ARRIVAL" THIRSTY AND TIRED
Located in San Antonio, TX
Edward Lee Reichert (1919-2011) Texas Artist Image Size: 24 x 36 Frame Size: 28 x 40 Medium: Oil 2005 "Noon Arrival" Thirsty and Tired Biography Edward Lee Reichert (1919-2011) Edward Reichert, architect, designer and artist, is a native Texan who has combined regional, national and international study and practice of the visual art and architecture since 1936. He is a versatile artist and designer, skilled in creating quality landscapes, portraits, architectural, western, religious and varied work in all media. After 36 years of architectural practice based in Houston in which he was involved in the design of more than 400 regional and international projects, he now devotes full time to painting. Best known of his art works are his designs of stained and faceted art glass which include 100 panels designed for the First United Methodist Church of Houston. In 1983, he wrote and jointly published with the Church, Windows Sharing God’s Caring, an art book with photographs by his wife Elizabeth, illustrating and describing these panels and the historic sanctuary windows. While attending The University of Texas in Austin he served as art editor of the university publication Architecture, Engineering and Industry (1938-41). After receiving his Bachelor of Architecture Degree and the Alpha Rho Chi Architectural Medal in 1941, he was awarded scholarships for continued studies a M.I.T., Harvard, and Yale. As a Naval Reserve Officer during World II, he authored and illustrated Naval Intelligence publications. He became a Registered Architect in Texas in 1947, AIA member since 1951 and NCARB certified since 1974. He has worked and studied in England, Europe and Canada. Invitational study and travel with Master Painter, Lajos...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

You May Also Like

Laurence Young, "The Order of Things", 12x24 Impressionistic Landscape Painting
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
"The Order of Things" 12x24 is an oil painting on canvas by artist Laurence Young. Featured is a warm sunny impressionistic landscape. Rows of purple hued trees line the high horizon...
Category

Early 2000s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ronald Adams, "Summer Evening", 12x24 Tuscan Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
"Summer Evening" 12x24 is an oil painting on canvas by artist Ronald Adams. Featured is a peaceful and warm tuscan landscape. Thick and skillful brushstrokes carve out rows of grapev...
Category

2010s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Ray Simonini, "Dante" 24x24 Long Horn Bull Oil Painting on Canvas
By Ray Simonini
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
This painting by artist Ray Simonini titled "Dante" is a 24x24 oil painting on canvas featuring a portrait of a long horned bull standing facing forward. Soft light from an afternoon sun glows...
Category

2010s Impressionist Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Owen Waters, Impressionist landscape, circle of Edward Seago
Located in Harkstead, GB
A wonderful example of the artist's work depicting an idyllic scene in the Norfolk countryside. Owen Waters (1916-2004) Norfolk pastures Signed Oil on board 12 x 16 inches excluding...
Category

Late 20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Gary Zack, "Golden Blush", 36x36 Atmospheric Pink Floral Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
"Golden Blush", by artist Gary Zack is a 36x36 oil painting on canvas featuring a hazy atmospheric setting. Large brushstrokes and subtle earthy colors resemble flora and growth whil...
Category

2010s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Gary Zack, "Endless Skies", 40x30 Water Sky Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
This piece, "Endless Skies", is a 40x30 oil painting on canvas by artist Gary Zack featuring an atmospheric abstract landscape. Clouds fill a hazy purple ...
Category

2010s Impressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Recently Viewed

View All