A Life of Artistic Pursuit and Transition
Born in Germany, John Frankenstein was a versatile artist who worked as a painter, sculptor, and engraver. After his family emigrated to the United States, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, he began his artistic training under the guidance of his parents and through apprenticeships in the studios of Frederick Eckstein and Frederick Franks. His early career saw him working as a sign painter and engraver before opening his own portrait studio in Cincinnati in 1836.
His professional journey took him through several major American cities, including Boston, Albany, Philadelphia, and New York City. During his time in New York, he exhibited portraits and sculptures at the Artists’ Fund Society and the Cincinnati Academy of Fine Arts. His diverse body of work included:
Later Years and Artistic Struggles
In the later stages of his life, Frankenstein's career was marked by significant shifts and personal grievances. After returning to Cincinnati in the 1840s, he explored copper and steel engraving, particularly focusing on series of the Niagara Falls. Following a divorce in 1859, he became increasingly critical of the art establishment, eventually publishing a satirical pamphlet titled American Art: Its Awful Altitude in 1864.
His final years were spent in New York City, where he turned to writing political-satirical poetry and articles. He died in East New York, Brooklyn, while working on a bust of Reuben D. Mussey Jr.
Questions & Answers
Where are John Frankenstein's artworks grouped by keywords?
To find works by John Frankenstein on a specific theme, use the artist's By Keywords page, which groups the artworks by keyword.
Can I study John Frankenstein's use of color across all works?
John Frankenstein's use of color across the works listed on this website can be studied on the artist's Palette Genome page.
Where can I see John Frankenstein's artworks in chronological order?
John Frankenstein's artworks can be seen in chronological order on the artist's Artwork Timeline page.
Which artworks by John Frankenstein are the most viewed?
A Stats page exists for John Frankenstein, presenting statistics about the artist's artworks on this website.
