John Elwood Bundy
Encyclopedia
John Elwood Bundy was an American Impressionist painter known as the "dean" of the Richmond Group
of painters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Bundy was born to a Quaker family in Guilford County, North Carolina
and moved by covered wagon
to farm near Monrovia, Indiana
with his family at the age of five. He studied briefly in Indianapolis
with Barton S. Hays
but was primarily self-taught. Bundy did travel to New York to copy paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a time. He joined the art department of Earlham College
in 1887 and took up painting full time in 1895 from a studio behind his home on West Main Street in Richmond, Indiana
. He was a founding member of the Society of Western Artists
and was a central influence in the founding of the Richmond Art Museum
in 1898. He was known for his portrayal of Indiana landscapes and particularly for his paintings of American Beech
trees, though he did make brief trips to paint in California and northern Michigan.
Bundy's work continues to be sought after and his is found in numerous private collections and museums, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art
, the Indiana State Museum
and the Richmond Art Museum.
Richmond Group
The Richmond Group also known as the Richmond School, is a group of American Impressionist painters who worked in the Richmond, Indiana area from the late 19th Century through the mid-20th Century...
of painters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Bundy was born to a Quaker family in Guilford County, North Carolina
Guilford County, North Carolina
Guilford County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. In 2010, the Census Bureau estimated the county's population to be 491,230. Its seat is Greensboro. Since 1938, an additional county court has been located in High Point, North Carolina, making Guilford one of only a handful...
and moved by covered wagon
Covered wagon
The covered wagon, also known as a Prairie schooner, is an icon of the American Old West.Although covered wagons were commonly used for shorter moves within the United States, in the mid-nineteenth century thousands of Americans took them across the Great Plains to Oregon and California...
to farm near Monrovia, Indiana
Monrovia, Indiana
Monrovia is a town in Monroe Township, Morgan County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,063 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Monrovia is located at ....
with his family at the age of five. He studied briefly in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
with Barton S. Hays
Barton S. Hays
Barton Stone Hays was an early Indiana artist and teacher.He was a self-taught artist who was known for his portraits, landscapes and still life paintings. While working in Indiana from 1850 to 1882, Hays taught such important young artists as William Forsyth, John Elwood Bundy and William...
but was primarily self-taught. Bundy did travel to New York to copy paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a time. He joined the art department of Earlham College
Earlham College
Earlham College is a liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana. It was founded in 1847 by Quakers and has approximately 1,200 students.The president is John David Dawson...
in 1887 and took up painting full time in 1895 from a studio behind his home on West Main Street in Richmond, Indiana
Richmond, Indiana
Richmond is a city largely within Wayne Township, Wayne County, in east central Indiana, United States, which borders Ohio. The city also includes the Richmond Municipal Airport, which is in Boston Township and separated from the rest of the city...
. He was a founding member of the Society of Western Artists
Society of Western Artists
The Society of Western Artists refers to two distinct and wholly unrelated organizations in the history of American art:*Society of Western Artists *Society of Western Artists...
and was a central influence in the founding of the Richmond Art Museum
Richmond Art Museum
The Richmond Art Museum was founded in 1898 as the Art Association of Richmond, Indiana. Artist John Elwood Bundy was instrumental in the founding.- Permanent Collection :...
in 1898. He was known for his portrayal of Indiana landscapes and particularly for his paintings of American Beech
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia, also known as American Beech or North american beech, is a species of beech native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Ontario in southeastern Canada, west to Wisconsin and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida in the United States. Trees in the...
trees, though he did make brief trips to paint in California and northern Michigan.
Bundy's work continues to be sought after and his is found in numerous private collections and museums, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art
Indianapolis Museum of Art
The Indianapolis Museum of Art is an encyclopedic art museum located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The museum, which underwent a $74 million expansion in 2005, is located on a campus on the near northwest area outside downtown Indianapolis, northwest of Crown Hill Cemetery.The...
, the Indiana State Museum
Indiana State Museum
The Indiana State Museum is a museum located within White River State Park in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The museum houses exhibits on the history of Indiana from prehistoric times up to the present day. It has one of the four IMAX theaters in the state of Indiana.-History:The museum was started...
and the Richmond Art Museum.