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The Kingsnorth House

 

Carl Gustaf Nelson

Carl “Gus” Nelson was born in Hörby, Sweden and grew up in Sioux City. He graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1921 and continued his studies at the Art Students League in New York from 1923-1927. During the summers of 1922-1929, he served as an art instructor at the Sioux City Society of Fine Arts.

The Kingsnorth House

Carl “Gus” Nelson

Swedish- American (Artist with ties to Sioux City)

1898-1988

The Kingsnorth House, 1929

oil on canvas

Sioux City Art Center Permanent Collection; 984.14

Gift of the artist

Nelson depicted the Kingsnorth house in all of its aging glory, from the ironwork and trim to the fading siding, uneven front steps, and window treatments. The result is a more vivid and poignant painting of the house than would have been possible with a more even rendering of all details in the scene. This house was owned by George W. Kingsnorth, an early settler of Sioux City and former mayor, and was the home of his daughter, Alice Lawler. Lawler was one of the founders of the Sioux City Society of Fine Arts and served as its first president.