Leo Blake

American (1887-1976)

Born in Galesburg, Illinois in 1887, Impressionist artist and instructor Leo Blake studied at the Art Institute of Chicago under John Henry Vanderpoel, Alphonse Mucha, Allen Philbrick, W.J. Reynolds, Antonin Sterba and F. DeForrest Schook. Following his education, Blake began a career in illustration and commercial art until 1933 when he established a studio in the Berkshires. He spent the remainder of his career painting seasonal landscapes throughout New England. Blake also taught painting at Williams College and at the Berkshire Museum.

Blake was a member of the Salmagundi Club, Illinois Academy of Fine Arts, North Shore Art Association, Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, American Artists Professional League and Pittsfield Art League, among others. He exhibited widely including at the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois Academy of Fine Arts, Allied Artists of America, Berkshire Museum, Salmagundi Club, Syracuse University, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Vose Galleries and Grand Central Art Galleries, among others. His works are held in the permanent collections of the Illinois State Museum, Berkshire Museum and at the Mechanics Institute of the Rochester Institute of Technology.