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MICHAEL LENK (American, 1890-?) “FATHER CLAUDE ALLOUEZ S.J. AT. LA POINTE WIS 1665-1669”

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Other Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
MICHAEL LENK (American, 1890-?) “FATHER CLAUDE ALLOUEZ S.J. AT. LA POINTE WIS 1665-1669”
MICHAEL LENK (American, 1890-?) “FATHER CLAUDE ALLOUEZ S. J. AT. LA POINTE WIS 1665-1669”. This wonderful folk art oil on canvas painting depicts a historic 17th Century event in the region of the Great Lakes. The painting signed in the lower right “M. Lenk” was done by Michael Lenk. Originally born in Germany and came to West Allis, Wisconsin. Lenk was an amateur painter never having received formal training and is known to have painted Northern Wisconsin scenes; in some cases historical events and some with religious subject matter. Some of his works are in Wisconsin Historical institutions and at least one of his works “Fifth Day of Creation” was on loan to a traveling exhibit of Wisconsin artists which took place sometime around 1976. The subject of this painting, slightly reminiscent of one of the famous Hicks paintings, depicts a well-known and historic incident at La Pointe, Wisconsin between 1665-1669. Here Father Claude Allouez is shown with a large group of Indians (most certainly depicting Iroquois Indians) on the shore of one of the Great Lakes with Indian huts, canoes and racks of drying fish. Allouez (1620-1689) was a famous Jesuit priest. Between 1665-1669 he personally journeyed throughout the hostile Iroquois territory to reestablish relations between the French and the exiled Indian nation. Allouez is a very famous historic religious figure in the Great Lakes region for his accomplishments during this era. Housed in a simple contemporary rosewood frame. SIZE: 29” x 42”. CONDITION: The painting has been cleaned and restretched. Strip lined on what appears to be a replaced stretcher. Some craquelure, generally in very good condition. 8-76080