Frank I. Johnson

Portrait painter Frank I. Johnson was born April 2, 1879 in Smoland, Nasjo, Sweden. [1] He came to Rockford, Illinois when he was three and lived there all his life, with the exception of one year in Chicago. Largely self-taught, his formal training consisted of a brief period of study at the Chicago Art Institute. He surrounded himself with books on the great portrait painters of the world, of whom his favorite was John Singer Sargent.[2] He preferred John Singer Sargent to Whistler; he liked the boldness of Goya, and the dash and competency of Sorolla.[3] He discovered early that he had an ability to capture likenesses. A prolific artist, he painted portraits of people throughout the country, as well as leading local citizens. These included local art patrons Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Burpee, active in the Rockford Art Association (as was Johnson), forerunner of the Rockford Art Museum, where the portraits are housed today.[4] Johnson especially liked to paint clergymen - finding it a welcome artistic challenge to capture their serious, thoughtful, devout faces.[5] Johnson, whose work was exhibited in Chicago, referred to portrait painting as his hobby.[6] He worked as a furniture designer for the Rockford Furniture Company, as well as companies in New York and Chicago, consulting with foremen, carvers and workmen on traditional designs.[7] He also lectured on period furniture.[8] For years Johnson had a studio in the Cutler Building in Rockford, but then converted his garage to a studio.[9] Johnson occasionally lectured on his work and gave demonstrations.[10] He was a member of the Rockford Art Association, American Furniture Association, Chicago Galleries Association and the Kiwanis Club. [11] He died in 1952, at age 73, after suffering a fall, and was survived by his wife, his only daughter, and a granddaughter.[12] He is buried in Rockford's Scandinavian Cemetery.

1. Obituary, "Frank Johnson Dies; Rockford Portrait Artist," Rockford Morning Star, September 6, 1952.

2. Unidentified newspaper clipping in artist file at Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL. With thanks to Jessica Caddell, Curator.

3. "Craftsman and Honest Artist (An Editor's Notebook)," Rockford Morning Star, September 7, 1952.

4. The Rockford Art Museum currently has five portraits by Johnson in its collection. Henry Baldwin Burpee ran a family undertaking business . At one time the family business also included furniture-making. With thanks to Jean Lythgoe, Library Assistant, Rockford Public Library, for this information.

5. Ibid.

6. "Chicago Galleries to Show Work of Frank I. Johnson, Rockford Morning Star, May 1, 1940.

7. "Frank I. Johnson's Designs to be Shown in New York," Rockford Morning Star, February 19, 1950.

8. "Frank I. Johnson to Give Talk on Period Furniture," Rockford Morning Star, October 19, 1938.

9. Ibid.

10. "To Give Portrait Demonstration Tuesday," Rockford Morning Star, June 3, 1945.

11. "Frank I. Johnson, Rockford Artist, Hurt in Fall, Dies," Rockford Register, September 5, 1952.

12. Ibid.