George Michael Gaethke

George Michael Gaethke (July 31, 1898 – August 28, 1982) was an American printmaker, watercolorist, and painter. He worked for the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, and was active in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Early life and education George Michael Gaethke was born on July 31, 1898, in Bathgate, North Dakota, United States. From a young age he was raised in Butte, Montana.

In 1919, Gaethke married artist Vera Allison, and together they had one child.

Career In 1934, Gaethke assisted artist Maxine Albro in her mural at Coit Tower in Telegraph Hill; and he also worked for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as a lithographer. Gaethke and his wife Allison showed their artwork at Gump's in San Francisco in 1947.

In 1967, Gaethke and Allison moved to Mill Valley, California, where they remained until his death. the National Gallery of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.