Born in Bohemia, Rudolf Bohunek was both a painter and printmaker. He studied art in Prague at the School of Art, and in 1907 traveled to America. He first came to the United States at age 31 from Prague via Bremen on the Kronprinz Wilhelm, arriving 18 April 1907. He was 5'2" with black hair and gray eyes. In 1909 he made his way down south and worked in New Orleans for four years. There he maintained on a studio in the Maison Blanche building on Gravier Street. While in New Orleans, he received a large commission to paint the Louisiana Sugar Planters Associations members' portraits. Twenty-one of these portraits are on long term loans to the Louisiana State Museum from the association. Bohunek also produced a series of portraits of historic Louisiana figures. A February 2, l909, article in The New Orleans Daily States publicized the exhibition of his portraits of René-Robert Cavalier Sieur de La Salle and Bienville in the artist's studio, both of which are currently in the museum's collection. He also did a similar series of etchings based on historic characters. At some time in 1911, Bohunek was a guest in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was commissioned to paint a reproduction of "The Dutch Masters" for the G.J. Johnson Cigar Company. He had recently returned from Vienna to become an art instructor at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. According to Peter Falk's "Who Was Who in American Art," Bohunek returned to Prague in 1911. At 37, Bohunek returned to the United States on December 24,1912, aboard the SS George Washington. Traveling now with his wife Henrietta (nee Vokoun), age 27 (DOB May 21, 1885), they left Bremen bound for their residence at 1223 S. Lawndale Avenue in Chicago. He established a studio in Chicago's Loop, first at 536 S. Clark St. And then at 616 S. Michigan Avenue. It was at this time that he painted a portrait of Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Watch Company. After arriving in Chicago, he started an art school about 1913.
At age 43, while living in Oak Park, IL, Rudolf registered for the draft in 1918. He gave his occupation as s "Commercial artist in business for self" at 622 So. Flick, Chicago. By 1920, Bohunek and Henrietta had moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked as an art professor. Living with them in "FI" on Farwell Avenue, was daughter Mary, or Miriam, age 6. Rudolph had been naturalized in 1914. Wife Henrietta and their daughter were both born in Illinois. Sometime in 1930, the Bohuneks traveled to London, England, so that Miriam could take piano lessons. While there Rudolf painted several things on wood paneling. In 1930, the Bohuneks lived at 143 N. Taylor, Oak Park, IL, with Miriam and son Henry. Both husband and wife were listed as artists in a "home studio." They owned their home, valued at $9000. They were 55 and 45 years of age. Miriam was 14. Rudolf Bohunek died March 7, 1939. He is buried in the Mount Emblem Cemetery. Rudolf's wife Henrietta died September 17, 1961 in Sacramento, CA.
At age 43, while living in Oak Park, IL, Rudolf registered for the draft in 1918. He gave his occupation as s "Commercial artist in business for self" at 622 So. Flick, Chicago. By 1920, Bohunek and Henrietta had moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked as an art professor. Living with them in "FI" on Farwell Avenue, was daughter Mary, or Miriam, age 6. Rudolph had been naturalized in 1914. Wife Henrietta and their daughter were both born in Illinois. Sometime in 1930, the Bohuneks traveled to London, England, so that Miriam could take piano lessons. While there Rudolf painted several things on wood paneling. In 1930, the Bohuneks lived at 143 N. Taylor, Oak Park, IL, with Miriam and son Henry. Both husband and wife were listed as artists in a "home studio." They owned their home, valued at $9000. They were 55 and 45 years of age. Miriam was 14. Rudolf Bohunek died March 7, 1939. He is buried in the Mount Emblem Cemetery. Rudolf's wife Henrietta died September 17, 1961 in Sacramento, CA.
Born in Bohemia, Rudolf Bohunek was both a painter and printmaker. He studied art in Prague at the School of Art, and in 1907 traveled to America. He first came to the United States at age 31 from Prague via Bremen on the Kronprinz Wilhelm, arriving 18 April 1907. He was 5'2" with black hair and gray eyes. In 1909 he made his way down south and worked in New Orleans for four years. There he maintained on a studio in the Maison Blanche building on Gravier Street. While in New Orleans, he received a large commission to paint the Louisiana Sugar Planters Associations members' portraits. Twenty-one of these portraits are on long term loans to the Louisiana State Museum from the association. Bohunek also produced a series of portraits of historic Louisiana figures. A February 2, l909, article in The New Orleans Daily States publicized the exhibition of his portraits of René-Robert Cavalier Sieur de La Salle and Bienville in the artist's studio, both of which are currently in the museum's collection. He also did a similar series of etchings based on historic characters. At some time in 1911, Bohunek was a guest in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was commissioned to paint a reproduction of "The Dutch Masters" for the G.J. Johnson Cigar Company. He had recently returned from Vienna to become an art instructor at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. According to Peter Falk's "Who Was Who in American Art," Bohunek returned to Prague in 1911. At 37, Bohunek returned to the United States on December 24,1912, aboard the SS George Washington. Traveling now with his wife Henrietta (nee Vokoun), age 27 (DOB May 21, 1885), they left Bremen bound for their residence at 1223 S. Lawndale Avenue in Chicago. He established a studio in Chicago's Loop, first at 536 S. Clark St. And then at 616 S. Michigan Avenue. It was at this time that he painted a portrait of Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Watch Company. After arriving in Chicago, he started an art school about 1913.
At age 43, while living in Oak Park, IL, Rudolf registered for the draft in 1918. He gave his occupation as s "Commercial artist in business for self" at 622 So. Flick, Chicago. By 1920, Bohunek and Henrietta had moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked as an art professor. Living with them in "FI" on Farwell Avenue, was daughter Mary, or Miriam, age 6. Rudolph had been naturalized in 1914. Wife Henrietta and their daughter were both born in Illinois. Sometime in 1930, the Bohuneks traveled to London, England, so that Miriam could take piano lessons. While there Rudolf painted several things on wood paneling. In 1930, the Bohuneks lived at 143 N. Taylor, Oak Park, IL, with Miriam and son Henry. Both husband and wife were listed as artists in a "home studio." They owned their home, valued at $9000. They were 55 and 45 years of age. Miriam was 14. Rudolf Bohunek died March 7, 1939. He is buried in the Mount Emblem Cemetery. Rudolf's wife Henrietta died September 17, 1961 in Sacramento, CA.
At age 43, while living in Oak Park, IL, Rudolf registered for the draft in 1918. He gave his occupation as s "Commercial artist in business for self" at 622 So. Flick, Chicago. By 1920, Bohunek and Henrietta had moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked as an art professor. Living with them in "FI" on Farwell Avenue, was daughter Mary, or Miriam, age 6. Rudolph had been naturalized in 1914. Wife Henrietta and their daughter were both born in Illinois. Sometime in 1930, the Bohuneks traveled to London, England, so that Miriam could take piano lessons. While there Rudolf painted several things on wood paneling. In 1930, the Bohuneks lived at 143 N. Taylor, Oak Park, IL, with Miriam and son Henry. Both husband and wife were listed as artists in a "home studio." They owned their home, valued at $9000. They were 55 and 45 years of age. Miriam was 14. Rudolf Bohunek died March 7, 1939. He is buried in the Mount Emblem Cemetery. Rudolf's wife Henrietta died September 17, 1961 in Sacramento, CA.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
