Museum obtains rare painting of

early New Ulm

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A landscape painting, one of few evoking the early days of New Ulm, has found its way to the Brown County Museum after a ten-year quest.

Created by local artist Alexander Schwendinger in 1892, the painting presents a view of the prairie surrounding the growing town, with landmark buildings visible in the distance. The landscape appeals to the nostalgically-minded, with its subdued color scheme and dreamy, pastoral style.

Alexander Schwendinger was a partner of a perhaps more celebrated artist, Anton Gag. Schwendinger collaborated with Gag on several projects central to the city -- the cyclorama of the Dakota Conflict of 1862, the murals at the Catholic church and murals at local homes.

Schwendinger's painting will appear on the cover of a city-sponsored history of New Ulm commissioned to historian Dan Hoisington -- and expected to come out next spring in conjunction with the city's 150th anniversary, says Brown County Research Librarian Darla Gebhard, a museum employee instrumental in obtaining the work. The landscape will also be featured in next spring's museum exhibit celebrating the anniversary, Gebhard reports.

The painting was originally acquired by former Brown County museum director Leotta Kellett, Gebhard also recalls. For many years, it hung in Kellett's home. After Kellett passed away, the work went to her daughter and son-in-law in Chicago. Both Kellett and her daughter, now also deceased, expressed their willingness to eventually donate it to the museum, says Gebhard.

Museum staff persevered in its inquiries about obtaining, or at least borrowing, the painting. In the end they succeeded, receiving it from Kellett's grandchildren, through their parents' estate.

The painting, however, needed extensive cleaning and restoration. The museum approached New Ulm's 150th anniversary committee for help with the cost. In view of its value to the city, the request was granted. Additional restoration funds were contributed by a private donor, Brown County Historical Society member and art lover Robert Jensen, who had admired the landscape in Kellett's home.

The cost of restoration was $685. The restoration work was done by Kramer Gallery of Minneapolis, who had restored many of Gag's works and was recommended by the Gag family.