Frank Tenney Johnson Paintings

Frank Tenney Johnson was an American painter who is best known for his depictions of the Old West. Born on June 26, 1874, in Big Grove, Iowa, Johnson showed an early interest in art, which was encouraged by his family. He moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he began his formal art education at the Milwaukee School of Art.

After honing his skills in Milwaukee, he moved to New York City to study at the Art Students League. There, he was influenced by the works of Frederic Remington and Charles Russell, who were prominent artists of Western subjects. Johnson's exposure to the culture and scenery of the West came during trips to Colorado and Wyoming, where he developed a passion for the landscape and lifestyle, which would become central themes in his artwork.

Johnson's style blended realism with atmospheric effects, often capturing the romance and vastness of the Western frontier. His paintings frequently featured cowboys, Native Americans, and the wildlife of the plains and mountains. He was particularly noted for his 'nocturnes,' nighttime scenes illuminated by moonlight, campfires, or the first light of dawn, which evoked a sense of quiet and mystery.

During his career, Johnson became a respected member of the art community. He was an associate member of the National Academy of Design and a member of the Salmagundi Club. In 1929, he was elected to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Tragically, Johnson's life and career were cut short when he died of lead poisoning, a consequence of ingesting a contaminated vitamin supplement, on January 1, 1939, in Los Angeles, California. Despite his early death, Johnson left behind a significant body of work that continues to influence Western art. His paintings are held in many important collections, including the Autry Museum of the American West and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.