Eilshemius, Louis Michel

Eilshemius, Louis Michel (īlshē`mēəs), 1864–1941, American painter, b. near Newark, N.J. The son of a wealthy Dutch importer, he spent much of his youth abroad. After two years at Cornell Univ. he studied art at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Design in New York City and at Julian's in Paris, where he worked under Bouguereau. He returned to New York c.1887, when two of his works were shown at the National Academy. Aside from this early notice he received no real recognition for more than 30 years. Although he continued to paint, he also tried his hand at inventing, composing, and writing witty letters to the editor of the New York Sun. His imaginative, atmospheric landscapes of the American scene are found in many leading galleries. Approaching Storm (Phillips Memorial Gall., Washington, D.C.) is an excellent example of his work.