Carl Redin
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Carl Redin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Carl Aldolf Hjalmer Piersson Redin June 15, 1892 |
| Died | June 19, 1944 (aged 52) Los Gatos, California, U.S. |
| Known for | Painter |
| Movement | Tonalist, Impressionism, |
| Spouse(s) | Lillian West Toby (1905–1917) Dorothea Lange (1920–1935) Betty Rhoades (1935–1944) |
Carl Redin (June 15, 1892 – June 19, 1944) was a Swedish born American artist. He was known for his landscape paintings, and his body of work focused on the American West with an emphasis on New Mexico, Albuquerque and its environs. Redin was recognized as the first artist of Albuquerque and his work was critically recognized during his life nationally and internationally.
Early life and education[edit]
Born Carl Aldolf Hjalmer Piersson Redin, he was born in a small Swedish village on June 15, 1892.
At age of 14, Carl's avid interest in painting led him to Stockholm for formal art training. Financial constraints, however, forced him to work to support his family, restricting his study to freehand drawing at night. Redin's work caught the attention of the village doctor's wife.
Immigration to America and health struggles[edit]
In 1913, Redin immigrated into the United States. Settling in Chicago within a Swedish community, he engaged in various jobs, including varnishing apartments and restoring church paintings. However, in 1916, Redin was diagnosed with tuberculosis.[1]
Seeking a cure and respite from the Midwest's damp climate, he boarded a train for the arid Southwest, ultimately finding treatment in Albuquerque's Methodist sanatorium. Redin's three-year convalescence not only restored his health but also let him return to his art, focusing on the vistas of the Southwest that would define his oeuvre. He exhibited his paintings in May 1919 at the Albuquerque Women's Club.[2]
Artistic career in Albuquerque[edit]
Residing in Albuquerque, Redin collaborated with fellow artists such as Ben Turner, Charles Bolsius, Nils Hogner, and Carl Von Hassler, forming the city's community of artists. His first show in 1926, sponsored by the Albuquerque Women's Club, marked the beginning of a career marked by financial insecurity but sustained by devoted patrons like Dr. Carl Hagland and Howard Roosa.
Redin worked across the America Southwest, in February 1927 he traveled to Phoenix to paint the Superstition Mountains.[3] In 1938 his exhibited his work at the Arizona Inn in Tucson, Arizona[4]
Despite constant struggles, Redin's art perfectly aligned with the popular taste of his day. He painted during a time when New Mexico was marketing itself as an exotic getaway. His paintings adorned hotels, public buildings, and even department stores, contributing significantly to the myth of New Mexico.[5]
Legacy and contributions[edit]
Redin's vision became inseparable from Albuquerque's perception, immortalizing the city's clouds, sunsets, and landmarks. While financial challenges persisted, Redin's art resonated with patrons across the United States, Mexico, Canada, India, and his homeland, Sweden. His paintings were collected in nearly every state, testament to the enduring appeal of his work.[6]
Later years and move to California[edit]
Facing deteriorating health, Redin left Albuquerque in 1941, seeking lower altitudes in California due to a diagnosed heart condition. Although he continued to paint seascapes and West Coast scenery, the connection he felt to New Mexico's landscapes was irreplaceable. Redin passed away on June 19, 1944, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with those who remember the gentle and harmonious man who painted the Southwest with a unique perspective.[7][8]
Legacy and recognition[edit]
While Redin may not have been associated with a specific artistic group or enjoyed the renown of artists in Taos, New Mexico and Santa Fe, New Mexico, his work received favorable critical comments.
References[edit]
- ^ The Albuquerque Tribune, Albuquerque Museum to Exhibit Carl Redin, September 21, 1984, 73.
- ^ The Santa Fe New Mexican, Notes of New Mexico Womens Club, May 2, 1919, 3.
- ^ Arizona Republic, Carl Redin Noted Swedish Artist here Making Canvas of Superstition Mountains, February 20, 1927, 3.
- ^ Arizona Daily Star, Artist Plans Exhibit Here, January 23, 1938, 20.
- ^ Mygatt, Matt, Longview News-Journal, Albuquerque High School Art Collection Finds a Home, November 16, 1986
- ^ El Paso Herald-Post, Southwest Landscape Favored by Artist, February 3, 1944, 8.
- ^ Los Gatos Times-Saratoga Observer, Carl Redin, Artist Called By Death, June 23, 1944, page 10.
- ^ Albuquerque Journal, Carl Redin Funeral Rites Are Sunday at Hanover, Kansas, June 23, 1944.
Further reading[edit]
- Niederman, Sharon, Carl Redin, The Albuquerque Museum, 1984
External links[edit]
