Artist Bio

Early Fine Art Dealers specializes in valuing and purchasing important paintings from the 17th century through the early 20th century. Our buyers are in constant search for fine works of art and paintings, spanning the globe for original well-known Old Master, European, American, and early California art. Each year we preview and participate in hundreds of private sales, art shows, gallery showings, exhibitions and auctions. We are in constant search for fine works to purchase. Please contact us today to discuss the sale of one of your paintings. Please note that our gallery only deals with original paintings. No Prints Please.

WE ARE DEALERS OF ORIGINAL PAINTINGS: To contact one of our gallery fine art experts about selling your painting or buying paintings for your collection, complete the form below. Please note that our gallery only deals with original paintings. NO PRINTS PLEASE.

Charles Salis Kaelin (1858 - 1929)

Pastel painter Charles Salis Kaelin worked as a highly regarded and successful commercial lithographer for many years before giving up his career and becoming a full time painter. His desire for solitude led to him being frequently called the "hermit painter", but he enjoyed a wide amount of critical and public attention throughout his life.

He was born the son of a professional lithographer, and he followed in his father's professional footsteps, but he also took evening classes at what would become the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Additionally, he began studying with John Henry Twachtman at the age of twenty, and learned from him the earliest forms of Impressionistic style in the landscape.

He journeyed to New York, enrolling in the Art Students League, and working for the Strobridge Lithographic Company in the creation of theater posters, advertisements and calendar art. He would make many painting and sketching excursions throughout the years, always using pastel crayons for his works. Because of his professional reputation, the Cincinnati Art Museum staged a solo exhibition of his work in 1899, and from that point on he was a well regarded painter.

He traveled to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1900 where he found incredible inspiration with the many American Impressionists capturing the brilliant landscapes and scenery, and who also introduced him to Divisionism (Pointillism). His works began to reflect the influences of his new friends and critics took note. By 1916 he was able to transition to a full time painting career.

Settling in Rockport, Massachusetts he continued to exhibit widely and win many major awards. His works are in numerous public and private collections, and can be seen at such places as the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Rockport Art Association.

[ Back to Artists page ]