Otto Stark letter
Collection — Folder: S3022
Identifier: S3022
Scope and Contents
This collection includes a two-page, handwritten letter by Indiana artist Otto Stark, written in April 1914, in response to the Indiana Division of the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, containing autobiographical information.
Dates
- 1914
Creator
- Stark, Otto, 1859-1926 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical / Historical
Otto Stark was born in 1859, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Gustav G. and Leona (Joas) Stark. He grew up in Indianapolis before moving to Cincinnati, Ohio to begin a lithography apprenticeship. Taking night classes at the Art Academy of Cincinnati inspired him to create art of his own design. Stark moved to New York City in 1879 to study with the Art Students League of New York, falling under the tutelage of James Carroll Beckwith, William Merritt Chase, Walter Shirlaw, and Thomas Dewing. By 1885, he enrolled at Académie Julien in Paris, France, and was under the tutelage of Jules-Joseph Lefebvre, Fernand Cormon, and Gustave Boulanger there. Stark met and married Marie Nitschelm, a local French woman, and the couple had four children: Gretchen Leone, Susanne Marie, Paul Gustav, and Edward Otto. Stark moved back to New York after his two years in Paris, but Marie passed away in 1891, and so he moved his family back to Indianapolis, working primarily in Indiana and the Midwest for the rest of his life.
"Stark was named the supervisor of art of the Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis while also teaching at the John Herron Art Institute. He held these positions for over 15 years before returning to focus solely on his painting. Stark was a member of the Art Association of Indianapolis, president of the Indiana Artists Club and the Portfolio Club, and a member, and sometimes treasurer, of the Society of Western Artists. He is a part of the so-called "Hoosier Group", five male Indiana artists including William Forsyth, T.C. Steele, J. Ottis Adams, and Richard Gruelle. Stark's work was exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally and he painted numerous murals around the city of Indianapolis while supporting the city’s local arts community. Stark died on April 14, 1926 in Indianapolis and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Sources:
American Art Gallery. “Otto Stark.” Biography. Accessed September 5, 2024. http://americanartgallery.org/artist/readmore/id/535.
FamilySearch. “Otto Stark.” United States Census, 1900. Accessed September 5, 2024. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/27NC-MQQ.
Findagrave.com. “Otto Stark.” Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed September 5, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12221968/otto-stark.
Newton, Judith Vale. “Otto Stark.” Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, February 2021. Accessed September 5, 2024. https://indyencyclopedia.org/otto-stark.
Newton, Judith Vale, and Carol Ann Weiss. “A Grand Tradition: The Arts and Artists of the Hoosier Salon, 1925-1990. ” Indianapolis, Indiana: Hoosier Salon Patrons Association, 1993.
"Stark was named the supervisor of art of the Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis while also teaching at the John Herron Art Institute. He held these positions for over 15 years before returning to focus solely on his painting. Stark was a member of the Art Association of Indianapolis, president of the Indiana Artists Club and the Portfolio Club, and a member, and sometimes treasurer, of the Society of Western Artists. He is a part of the so-called "Hoosier Group", five male Indiana artists including William Forsyth, T.C. Steele, J. Ottis Adams, and Richard Gruelle. Stark's work was exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally and he painted numerous murals around the city of Indianapolis while supporting the city’s local arts community. Stark died on April 14, 1926 in Indianapolis and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Sources:
American Art Gallery. “Otto Stark.” Biography. Accessed September 5, 2024. http://americanartgallery.org/artist/readmore/id/535.
FamilySearch. “Otto Stark.” United States Census, 1900. Accessed September 5, 2024. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/27NC-MQQ.
Findagrave.com. “Otto Stark.” Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed September 5, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12221968/otto-stark.
Newton, Judith Vale. “Otto Stark.” Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, February 2021. Accessed September 5, 2024. https://indyencyclopedia.org/otto-stark.
Newton, Judith Vale, and Carol Ann Weiss. “A Grand Tradition: The Arts and Artists of the Hoosier Salon, 1925-1990. ” Indianapolis, Indiana: Hoosier Salon Patrons Association, 1993.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of one item.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation by Otto Stark in April 1914.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2024/09/03 by A.J. Chrapliwy. EAD finding aid created on 2024/09/04 by A.J. Chrapliwy. EAD finding aid revised 2024/10/01 by Brittany Kropf.
Creator
- Stark, Otto, 1859-1926 (Person)
- Title
- Otto Stark letter
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
