Rudolph Schaeffer

Rudolph Frederick Schaeffer (June 26, 1886 – March 5, 1988) an American arts educator and artist connected to the Arts and Crafts movement. He was the founder of the Rudolph Schaeffer School of Design, a school that was based in San Francisco and produced designers, architects, interior decorators, teachers and colorists for more than 50 years. He was one of many pioneers in the study of color field, and has been credited with establishing the city of San Francisco as an International design center.

Early life Born on June 26, 1886, in Clare, Michigan, to Mary Hirzel and German immigrant and miller, Julius Schaeffer. He attended the Thomas Normal Training School in Detroit, after finishing high school. The school specialized in art, music and manual arts.

In 1924, he opened his own art school in San Francisco's Chinatown, originally named the Rudolph Schaeffer School of Rhythmo-Chromatic Design. The school later changed names and locations over the years. Schaeffer was greatly influenced by Japanese aesthetics, philosophy and design and in the 1920s he was teaching these principals.

Death He died March 5, 1988, in his home in San Francisco at age 101.