Louis Pohl
Encyclopedia
Louis Pohl was an American painter, illustrator, art teacher, printmaker and cartoonist. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1915. A childhood illness made it impossible to walk without pain and prevented Louis from entering school until he was 8 years old. To keep Louis occupied, his parents would give him papers and pencils with which to draw. When 14 years old, Louis spent his summer caddying at a local golf course. A regular foursome of well-to-do women made an unusual wager—the loser would make their caddy's wish come true. Mrs. Yaeger paid for Louis’s tuition at the Art Academy of Cincinnati
for two years. He spent the next 4 years as a teacher's assistant. He did most of the hands-on teaching given to the art students, and he also taught art to underprivileged kids on Saturdays. Eventually, Louis received his certificate of art upon the completion of a full standing nude copy of a Rembrandt that hung in the Cincinnati Art Museum
.
When the Second World War broke out, Louis enlisted in the Navy. He was sent him to Hawaii and assigned to paint ships in dry dock. He was injured when a destroyer caught fire, and the explosion knocked him off the second level of a scaffold. Louis was medically discharged and reluctantly returned to Cincinnati, where he was hired by the Works Progress Administration
to supervise other artists. In that capacity, he painted a portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
.
In 1946, Louis got a call from a former teacher and friend, Bill Stamper, who had talked the Board of Directors of the Honolulu Academy of Arts
into establishing a professional art school. Bill invited Louis to come to Hawaii to start the school, where Louis taught for 35 years. Louis also taught art at the Kamehameha Schools
for 15 years. In 1960, He wrote and illustrated the book, "It's Really Nice!” published by Little, Brown & Company.
Louis Pohl died December 22, 1999 in Honolulu. His widow still operates the Louis Pohl Gallery, also in Honolulu. The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
, the Hawaii State Art Museum
, the Honolulu Academy of Arts
, and the Isaacs Art Center
(Waimea, Hawaii), are among the public collections holding works by Louis Pohl.
Art Academy of Cincinnati
The Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private college of art and design, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, in Cincinnati, Ohio...
for two years. He spent the next 4 years as a teacher's assistant. He did most of the hands-on teaching given to the art students, and he also taught art to underprivileged kids on Saturdays. Eventually, Louis received his certificate of art upon the completion of a full standing nude copy of a Rembrandt that hung in the Cincinnati Art Museum
Cincinnati Art Museum
The Cincinnati Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums in the United States. Founded in 1881, it was the first purpose-built art museum west of the Alleghenies. Its collection of over 60,000 works make it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Midwest.Museum founders debated locating...
.
When the Second World War broke out, Louis enlisted in the Navy. He was sent him to Hawaii and assigned to paint ships in dry dock. He was injured when a destroyer caught fire, and the explosion knocked him off the second level of a scaffold. Louis was medically discharged and reluctantly returned to Cincinnati, where he was hired by the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
to supervise other artists. In that capacity, he painted a portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
.
In 1946, Louis got a call from a former teacher and friend, Bill Stamper, who had talked the Board of Directors of the Honolulu Academy of Arts
Honolulu Academy of Arts
The Honolulu Academy of Arts is an art museum in Honolulu in the state of Hawaii. Since its founding in 1922 by Anna Rice Cooke and opening April 8, 1927, its collections have grown to over 40,000 works of art.-Description:...
into establishing a professional art school. Bill invited Louis to come to Hawaii to start the school, where Louis taught for 35 years. Louis also taught art at the Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools , formerly called Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate , is a private co-educational college-preparatory institution that specializes in Native Hawaiian language and cultural education. It is located in Hawaii and operates three campuses: Kapālama , Pukalani , and Keaau...
for 15 years. In 1960, He wrote and illustrated the book, "It's Really Nice!” published by Little, Brown & Company.
Louis Pohl died December 22, 1999 in Honolulu. His widow still operates the Louis Pohl Gallery, also in Honolulu. The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, comprising the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park and the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, is the largest public arts institution in the city of San Francisco and one of the largest art museums in California.-External...
, the Hawaii State Art Museum
Hawaii State Art Museum
The No. 1 Capitol District Building, on the site of the former Armed Services YMCA Building, now houses the Hawaii State Art Museum and the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.-History:...
, the Honolulu Academy of Arts
Honolulu Academy of Arts
The Honolulu Academy of Arts is an art museum in Honolulu in the state of Hawaii. Since its founding in 1922 by Anna Rice Cooke and opening April 8, 1927, its collections have grown to over 40,000 works of art.-Description:...
, and the Isaacs Art Center
Isaacs Art Center
The Isaacs Art Center is a combination of art museum and retail gallery in Waimea on the Island of Hawaii. It is operated by and for the benefit of the Hawaii Preparatory Academy....
(Waimea, Hawaii), are among the public collections holding works by Louis Pohl.