Walter Castle Keith

Biography

(American, b. 1863 - d.1927)

Walter Castle Keith (1863-1927) was born in Penfield near Rochester N.Y. on February 18, 1863. His father was a railroad engineer, and as a young man Keith worked as a fireman for his father on Engine #573 between Syracuse N. Y. and Niagara Falls. In 1889, Keith began his art career by studying drawing at the Paul Nauen School in Munich, which was then regarded to be one of the most prominent schools for art in that famous old city. In addition, he studied in London, Paris, and sketched for a summer in Italy. These European experiences were fruitful as one of his paintings won a gold medal at the Paris Exhibition in 1895.

In 1896 Keith returned to America establishing a studio in Syracuse N.Y., becoming president of the Syracuse Art Club and starting the Syracuse Sketch Art Club. After multiple trips to Europe, Keith in 1901 decided to reside in the Netherlands. He spent some years in Amsterdam, where two of his paintings were acquired by the Stedelijk Museum. He also painted in The Hague at Laren an North Brabant. He always had a special affinity for Brabant where he lived and painted in a small peasant village of Heeze until 1921. After that time, he returned to America living in Toledo, Ohio which was one of his favorite towns, and his work was greatly appreciated there.

According to several obituaries Keith died in Detroit (some biographies have reputed Detroit to be his birth place).