Timeline

1890

Born in Centerville, WI, USA on December 11th

1906 - 1908

Studied under Frank Zimmerman and Professor Reynolds at the Art Institute of Chicago, IL

1906

His family moved to Hammond near Chicago; visited courses at the Art Institute, Chicago, IL

1909

Worked as fashion-designer in Chicago, IL

1911

Moved to New York, still working as fashion-designer

1913 - 1917

Lived alternately in New York, NY and in Chicago; autodidactic artistic studies; has success as a portraitist

1922 - 1925

Studied calligraphy and composition under Teng Kwei, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

1926

Traveled to Akka and Haifa; studied Persian and Arabian literature

1927

Lived alternately in Seattle, Chicago and New York

1931 - 1938

Lived in England

1934

Travelled to China and Japan; spent time in a cloister of the Zen-Buddhism and studies Zen-painting and calligraphy

1935

Trips to Seattle and New York; back in South-England he created the first 'white writing'

Katherine Baker Memorial Award, Seattle Art Museum

1940

Studied music (flute, piano, composition); friendship with Lyonel Feininger

1942

His painting 'Broadway' was honoured and purchased by the Metropolitan Museum, New York, NY

Artists for Victory Prize

1956

Guggenheim International Award

Honorary Member, National Institute of Arts and Letters

1957

Fine Arts Medal, American Institute of Architects

1958

First Prize for Painting, Biennale, Venice

1960

Moved to Basel

1961

First Prize for Painting, Carnegie International, Pittsburgh

1968

Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Paris

1970 - 1976

Lived and worked in Basel, Switzerland

1976

Died in Basel, Switzerland on April, 24th