Ralph Blakelock

Ralph Blakelock (1847 - 1919)

Born in New York City in 1847, Ralph Blakelock was the son of a prominent physician. His father offered to finance his art studies in Europe; however, at age 22 Blakelock embarked on a six-year horseback trip through the West. He lived among the Plains Indians and sketched across the Rockies and Sierra Nevada. While in California, he painted scenes of Oakland, San Francisco, the redwoods, and coastal scenes. From San Francisco he journeyed south toward Mexico and then returned to New York City. He remained a self-taught artist and ultimately was elected to the National Academy. Blakelock was not successful in selling many of his paintings during his career and lived in poverty with his wife and nine children. The strain of supporting such a large family led to a mental breakdown in 1899. The remaining years of his life were spent in a mental institution in Middletown, New York. Recognition came soon after his confinement and paintings he had sold for very little money were then resold for thousands. He died on Aug. 9, 1919.