Johann Berthelsen Art

Stunning oil on canvas circa 1955 by American impressionist painter Johann Henrik Carl Berthelsen. The piece depicts a view of the illuminated waterfront buildings from the East Rive...

Signed lower right. Following his graduation, he toured the United States and Canada as lead baritone for the Grand Opera Company, after which he taught voice - first as his alma ma...

A stunning jewel and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City scenes. Here we find a Central Park pathway at night and the Manhattan buildings depicted in the far bac...

An oil painting on panel by artist Johann Berthelsen that showcases a view of Times Square in the Winter in New York City. Painting image measure 12 x 9 approximately 16 x 12 framed...

Oil on canvas painting titled "Winter in Washington Square, New York" depicting a peaceful snowy 1952 day in the one of the city's most beloved parks. The composition in bathed in a ...

A truly stunning jewel and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City winter scenes depicting New York, 5th Avenue in the snow. An iconic scene that so many have come t...

A truly stunning jewel and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City scenes. Here we find Central Park at night near the water and the Plaza Hotel depicted in the far ...

A truly stunning jewel and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City winter scenes depicting Washington Square Park in the snow. An iconic scene that so many have come...

23 1/4" x 27 1/2" in frame. Signed lower right.

Johann Berthelsen (1883 - 1972) Winter Quiet, Central Park, New York City Oil on canvas 12 x 9 inches Signed lower right; signed, titled and stamped on the reverse Provenance: Private Collection Eastern Gallery, New York Private Collection This work has been confirmed to be authentic by the artist's son, Lee Berthelsen. He was born in Copenhagen in 1883, the 7th of seven sons, to Conrad and Dorothea Karen Berthelsen. The parents moved in artistic and professional circles.  In 1890, his mother brought the children to America, settling in Manistee, Michigan, with her sister's family.  They would eventually live in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, a city on the shore of Lake Michigan. As a teenager, Johann was actively involved in choirs and singing groups.  And always, he loved to draw and paint.  Though obviously intelligent and curious, he was too impatient to take well to schoolwork and never went beyond the 5th grade. Although he worked at several trades, Johann's mind and heart were always with the arts.  As his voice matured, his always pleasant sound evolved into a rich and powerful baritone.  Having always wanted to be an actor, at the age of 18, the young man moved to Chicago where he reconnected with an old friend who was studying voice at the Chicago Musical College.    He was awarded the school's Gold Medal on two occasions, and after graduation he earned a job as the lead baritone with the newly formed Standard Opera Company which was owned by the Schuberts. For the next five years, Johann Berthelsen enjoyed a rich and varied career, touring the U.S. and Canada in operas, concerts, Gilbert & Sullivan, and operettas. Despite considerable success, the grueling pace of life on the road was difficult, and in 1910 he joined the voice faculty at Chicago Musical College.   Now, in addition to teaching and performing, he had more time to pursue his other personal interests, especially painting.  He became friends with the artist, Svend Svendsen, a noted landscape painter.  Svendsen's snow scenes especially intrigued him.  Though Berthelsen never formally studied with him, Svendsen would become a major influence in his choice of mood and treatment of light and shadow.  In 1913, at the age of 30, he became the youngest-ever head of the voice department at the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music. In Indianapolis, he began a friendship with the painter, Wayman Adams.  A native of Muncie, Indiana, Adams had studied with William Merritt Chase and Robert Henri in Spain and Italy and had already established a reputation as a portraitist.  Adams and Berthelsen were to remain best friends for the remainder of their lives.  Adams would paint many significant portraits of Berthelsen including a life-sized image of his friend preparing to go on stage. Although he kept a busy schedule producing student performances and personally appearing as a concert artist and actor, Berthelsen now had more free time to devote to his other interests including painting. He had a voracious appetite for knowledge in every field and, on one occasion, he agreed to appear on stage in a minor role so that he could observe the great tenor, Enrico Caruso.  Even years later, he relished the experience and said that Caruso was, in every way, everything a singer could possibly be.  Likewise, he spent hours discussing art with Adams and his other friends. In 1920, seeking to advance their careers, Berthelsen and Adams moved to New York, where both achieved rapid success.  From 1920 through the late '50s , Wayman Adams painted some of his best-known works.  Johann Berthelsen established a private school of singing instruction at the Rodin Studios and attracted a distinguished following, including Howard Marsh who created the lead in "The Student Prince," and Robert Halliday who starred in the original production of Romberg's "The Desert Song."  As a hobby, he created pastels and watercolors featuring New York scenes.  They were exhibited to excellent reviews, and in 1926, he was elected to membership in the American Watercolor Society. Established in New York artistic musical and theatrical circles, his professional reputation grew.  Financially comfortable, fulfilled and happy, the family was a part of the vital New York arts community. In 1929, the heady prosperity of the Roaring '20s dissolved in the Stock Market crash, and the arts were among the hardest hit sectors. With many Broadway theaters...

Johann Berthelsen and one of New York city’s best known artists along with Guy Wiggins, depicting the streets, parks and skyline of New York. When he first arrived in New York he ga...

Jim’s of Lambertville Fine Art Gallery is proud to offer this piece by Johann Berthelsen (1883 – 1972). Born in 1883 in Denmark to artistically inclined parents, Johann Berthelsen would become a widely successful singer, teacher, and painter. After his parents divorced, his mother brought Berthelsen and his siblings with her to the United States in 1890, eventually settling in Wisconsin. At eighteen, Berthelsen moved to Chicago in the hope of becoming an actor, but a friend at the Chicago Musical College convinced him to audition at his school. Berthelsen received a full scholarship and enrolled at the college, where he was awarded the Gold Medal twice. After graduating, he had an active career traveling across the United States and Canada performing in operas and concerts, before joining the voice faculty at his alma mater in 1910. In 1913, Berthelsen became the voice department director at the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music. While in Chicago, Berthelsen met the landscape painter, Svend Svendsen...

Signed lower right. Johann Berthelsen (1883-1972) He was born in Copenhagen in 1883, the 7th of seven sons, to Conrad and Dorothea Karen Berthelsen. The parents moved in artistic a...

Queensborough Bridge at night with lights of the city, smoke from the tub boats, a strong impressionist picture.

A stunning and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City winter scenes depicting Washington Square Park in the snow. An iconic scene that so many have come to love and...

Jim’s of Lambertville Fine Art Gallery is proud to offer this piece by Johann Berthelsen (1883 – 1972). Born in 1883 in Denmark to artistically inclined parents, Johann Berthelsen would become a widely successful singer, teacher, and painter. After his parents divorced, his mother brought Berthelsen and his siblings with her to the United States in 1890, eventually settling in Wisconsin. At eighteen, Berthelsen moved to Chicago in the hope of becoming an actor, but a friend at the Chicago Musical College convinced him to audition at his school. Berthelsen received a full scholarship and enrolled at the college, where he was awarded the Gold Medal twice. After graduating, he had an active career traveling across the United States and Canada performing in operas and concerts, before joining the voice faculty at his alma mater in 1910. In 1913, Berthelsen became the voice department director at the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music. While in Chicago, Berthelsen met the landscape painter, Svend Svendsen...

A truly stunning jewel and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City winter scenes depicting Madison Square Park on 5th Avenue and 23rd Street. An iconic scene that so...