Michael Lenk

(1890 – 1982)

Michael Lenk was born in Germany in 1890 and moved to West Allis, Wisconsin in 1911 at the age of 21. Lenk worked as a machinist at Allis Chambers and other industrial plants for most of his life. It wasn’t until he retired that he began creating art.

Lenk joined a sketch club and became an amateur fold artist. He was known for oil and watercolor paintings featuring religious subjects, Northern Wisconsin landscape, and the myths and life of Native Americans.

Lenk’s artworks are part of the permanent collections of the Museum of Wisconsin Art and the Milwaukee Art Museum.

SOURCES:

Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) Archives: http://www.wisconsinart.org/archives/artist/michael-lenk/profile-2075.aspx