Severin Roesen (c.1815 - 1872)

We know a great deal about the magnificent brush work, attention to detail and refined palette of Severin Roesen. Oddly enough, the details of his life that should be the easiest to obtain are what we know the least about. What is not in question, however, is his enormous talent and the mark he left on the art world.

Roesen's birth is the first of those small mysteries in that he was either born in 1815 or 1816 in Cologne, Germany. It is assumed that he studied porcelain and enamel painting in the great German tradition. To compliment his skill, Roesen was also a man of impeccable timing. A successful German art exhibition in New York in 1847 had created a great demand for the kind of fine art Roesen was accustomed to producing. Settling in New York less than a year after the exhibition, Roesen had no trouble creating a comfortable living for his family. A decade later Roesen's sense of timing once again shone through as he began to paint in and eventually moved to Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The town had experienced a tremendous economic boost, as wealth was created due to a very successful logging industry. The demand for Roesen's works and skill as an instructor combined with the expendable monies of the people in the area once again ensured a very comfortable living for his family. Roesen cemented his financial success with the use of botanical subjects and painting on oval stretched canvas, the popular choice of the time.

Strange as it is that we do not know the exact year of Roesen's birth, it is even more odd what happened surrounding his death. We don't know when he died because in 1872 he seemingly vanished into thin air. What he left behind is a body of works of the highest quality. The importance of Roesen's contributions to the art of still life painting, especially as it pertains to the use of floral subjects are unquestioned. The desire for his work is just as high today as it was in the 19th century, although the price jumped since then. In 2004 one of his pieces sold at auction for over 1.5 million dollars!