Merton Clivette’s painting “Outriding the Blizzard” was inspired by his Wild West days. Photo provided.
By Darla McCammon
Merton Clivette (also known as Merton Clive Cook) was born in Portage, Wis., in 1868 and became known for having multiple artistic talents including as a magician, writer, vaudeville entertainer and most famously as an artist!
Clivette was raised by his family in the territory called Wyoming. He joined a Wild West show in his teens and traveled with the troupe as they intrigued audiences throughout the Northwest territories of America. He was very capable and enthralled audiences with his talents in acrobatics (later to evolve to fencing and become part of his painting fame, believe it or not.) He also provided juggling and magic acts.
Eventually he was picked up by a touring vaudeville show for his entertaining abilities. He was a hit in Seattle, then advanced to San Francisco and the Orpheum for about 10 years while also dabbling in art as a hobby in his off-hours. He became more and more interested in producing art and traveled to Europe to learn from such greats as Auguste Rodin, even painting what came to be called “The greatest portrait” of Rodin, the sculptor, himself.
While overseas, Clivette studied under well-known artists and continued to improve his own art and abilities. His next move was to the New York City art center where he aligned himself with the Ashcan School artists. He had a style of brushwork similar to Robert Henri and the other realistic Ashcan artists who favored loose, strident movements on canvas as they depicted the lesser known areas of New York.
Today the style he used at that time would be called Chiaroscuro. But Clivette carried it even further as he began using his entire body to move with him in flourishes as if he were fencing an invisible foe while he painted his broad grandiose marks across the face of the canvas. He became rather celebrated for this technique and other artists began utilizing the same practices to attract attention to their art when they saw the success happening with Clivette’s work and sales.
Over time, Clivette transitioned from Ashcan realism to more expressionist works, which went well with his drama and physical movements as he painted. During the 1920s, New York art clientele helped him achieve fame by purchasing his work. His painting “Outriding the Blizzard” garnered him great success and attention.
This painting was so full of gusto and shows a direct influence of his Wild West days that an art critic called him “The greatest American painter ever.” Clivette continued to achieve fame and he was able to enjoy the luxury of being invited to exhibit often. During this time frame, his work was exhibited internationally and in many large communities with wealthy art patrons such as Paris and Los Angeles.
Many who wrote about this era of transition in art felt that Clivette actually introduced modern art to the world in advance of Cezanne and Matisse. Others felt he should be given a place alongside Picasso, Gauguin and Van Gogh. By all counts, he was an interesting personality and did have a vast influence in art ranging from his Ashcan years to his ultimate movement into modern art.
Join us in the next article as we visit another unique artist.
We will have a small break in Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery art exhibits, then a new artist will provide an exhibit through the holidays. LAA offers the fall member show Nov. 2-30 followed by its annual Christmas Boutique, Dec. 1-19, where people can purchase amazing unique gifts for the special people in their lives. Feel free to email mcdar@gmail.com with questions or to exhibit at Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery.