Harold Von Schmidt (1893 to 1982)
Harold Von Schmidt was born in Alameda, California and was raised by his grandfather after he was orphaned at the age of 5. His art studies began at the College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, then continued at the San Francisco Art Institute. He was athletic as a youth, and competed in the 1920 Olympics as a rugby team member. Later he worked as a lumberjack, a cowhand and a construction worker. He moved to New York City in 1924 and became a western illustrator for several magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post. He was co-founder of the Famous Artists School in Connecticut.
Courtesy of Manitou Galleries/Manitou Auctions