FHK Gallery Features Exhibit by
Anton Otton Fischer
Noted Marine Artist-Illustrator

A major exhibit of works by noted marine artist and illustrator Anton Otto Fischer (1882-1962), who lived in Kingston and Woodstock for many years, will be featured in the Friends of Historic Kingston Gallery for the 2011 season. The exhibit, which is being presented in conjunction with the Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM), opens on Saturday, May 7. It may be viewed Saturday – Sunday, 1 – 4 p.m. until October 30 and admission to the FHK Gallery is free.

Fischer was noted for his stunning seascapes which vividly portrayed both the majestic beauty of the oceans and the terrors they held. His work gained prominence through his nearly 50-year affiliation with the Saturday Evening Post for whom he illustrated dozens of covers and well over 400 stories for the weekly magazine. He was the illustrator of the long-running series Tug Boat Annie and also illustrated several books including Moby Dick, Treasure Island and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

The exhibit will feature 18 paintings that were the illustrations for Fischer’s Focs’cle Days, a book he wrote about his own voyage on the ship Gwydyr Castle, a British barque. The set of 18 paintings are being loaned to the Friends of Historic Kingston by the Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM) where they reside in the museum’s permanent collection. The exhibit will also include Fischer paintings on loan from private collections. Co-curators of the exhibit are HRMM curator Allynne Lange and former HRMM Executive Director Russell Lange. Support to mount the exhibit was given by John R. Shults, Jr.

The Friends of Historic Kingston Gallery is located adjacent to the 1812 Fred J. Johnston Museum, at the corner of Wall and Main Streets in Kingston’s Stockade Historic District. For more information, call (845) 339-0720.