John Lewis Krimmel
America's first genre scene painter
John Lewis Krimmel, sometimes called "the American Hogarth" was America's first painter of genre scenes. Born in Germany, he emigrated to Philadelphia in 1809 and soon became a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Initially influenced by Scotland's David Wilkie, England's William Hogarth and America's Benjamin West, he soon turned to direct observation of life for his genre scenes. He was among the first artists in America to portray free blacks, such as in Black People's Prayer Meeting (1813). Among his still frequently reproduced paintings are Fourth of July, Center Square (1811/12) and Election Day (1815), both filled with lively characterizations of scores of crowd members. Krimmel died in a swimming accident at the age of 35. Among the prominent American artists influenced by Krimmel's work are William Sidney Mount, George Caleb Bingham, and Thomas Eakins.
Relationship Network
Influenced by
- David Wilkie David Wilkie
- William Hogarth William Hogarth
- Benjamin West Benjamin West
Influenced
- William Sidney Mount William Sidney Mount
- George Caleb Bingham George Caleb Bingham
- Thomas Eakins Thomas Eakins
Artworks by this artist
- Barroom dancing ca. 1820
- Winter Scene in Philadelphia—The Bank of the United States in the Background 1811[-]ca. 1813
- Sunday Morning in front of the Arch Street Meeting House, Philadelphia 1811[-]ca. 1813
- Blind Man’s Buff 1814
- Tableau of Indian Faces 1811[-]ca. 1813
- Blind Fiddler 1812
- Members of the City Troop and Other Philadelphia Soldiery 1811[-]ca. 1813
- Nightlife in Philadelphia—an Oyster Barrow in front of the Chestnut Street Theater 1811[-]ca. 1813
- Exhibition of Indian Tribal Ceremonies at the Olympic Theater, Philadelphia 1811[-]ca. 1813