Meadowlark Gallery: The Artist Biographies


Harold Von Schmidt (1893-1982)
Harold Von Schmidt was born in Alameda, California in 1893. Orphaned at the young age of five, he was raised by his grandfather, and an aunt who encouraged art studies. During the summers he was a cowboy and lumberjack. His studies included the California College of Arts and Crafts from 1912 to 1913. His first cover illustration Sunset Magazine was in 1913. While attending the San Francisco Art Institute from 1915 to 1918 he became the art director associated with Maynard Dixon. Later Von Schmidt was able to act as a sponsor for Will James. The artist was also active as a memeber of the American rugby team in the 1920 Olympics. Moving to New York City in 1924 he studied at the Grand Central Art School. Later he became a leading illustrator for the next twenty years with The Saturday Evening Post. He also illustrated such noted books as "Death Comes For The Archbishop." Von Schmidt was a founder of the Famous Artists School in Westport. He received the commission in 1960 to design the postage stamp commemorating the Pony Express.
View high resolution images of works by Harold Von Schmidt when available.