Max Fernekes

Maximillian (Max) Margius Fernekes (July 7, 1905 – November 28, 1984) was an American artist known for his etching and watercolors of the Wisconsin cityscapes. He has been called the Norman Rockwell of Mineral Point and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Biography

Fernekes was born to Max Fernekes Sr., a local architect who encouraged him to study engineering at Marquette University. Unfulfilled, Fernekes dropped out to become a full time artist. He first studied painting and printmaking for a year under artist Gustave Moeller. This helped launch his career as an illustrator. Fernekes was then commissioned by various Milwaukee journals, magazines, and newspapers.

Fernekes was a prolific artist and had many devoted fans. Among them was Michael T. Crowley Sr., former CEO of Bank Mutual, collected the paintings, which were displayed throughout Bank Mutual's corporate headquarters. When Associated Banc-Corp bought Bank Mutual, more than 90 paintings of Fernekes was donated to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Works

Ferneke's work are rarely available at auction but a number of his paintings are owned by the city of Milwaukee and on display, so can be viewed in various city buildings. These include:

Arch Grill, National Gallery of Art -not on display. Elegance from Time Victorian, etching on display at the Milwaukee City Hall. Gesu Church Milwaukee, etching, on display at the city of Milwaukee 841 Bldg. Jones Island Main Street, etching on display at the Milwaukee City Hall. Milwaukee Avenue, etching on display at the Milwaukee City Hall. Milwaukee Skyline, etching on display at the Milwaukee City Hall. Northpoint Water Tower Milwaukee, etching on display at the Milwaukee City Hall. Northwestern Depot Milwaukee, etching on display at the city of Milwaukee 809 Bldg. Old Barn, watercolor, at the city of Milwaukee -not on display. Wells Street Bridge Milwaukee, etching on display at the city of Milwaukee 841 Bldg.

Museum Collections National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI