==Artistic career==
==Artistic career==
== Artistic career ==
Schmidt’s realist style is influenced by 19th-century painters such as Adolf Menzel and Edgar Degas. His work often blends historical narratives with satire and social commentary, particularly in relation to Louisiana history and culture.
Schmidt’s painting style is influenced by 19th-century realists such as Adolf Menzel and Edgar Degas. Known for blending classical technique with wit and satire, he frequently explores historical and cultural themes related to Louisiana. His work often depicts figures such as Jean Lafitte, Huey Long, and Louis Armstrong, combining narrative detail with social commentary.<ref>Insert source here</ref>
His early series satirizing New Orleans debutante traditions gained local attention and helped establish his reputation.<ref>Insert source here</ref> In 1984, he held a solo exhibition, ”A History of Jazz”, at the New Orleans Museum of Art and served as the first artist-in-residence at the Louisiana World Exposition.<ref>Insert source here</ref> He was also commissioned to create ”A History of Carnival” for the InterContinental Hotel in New Orleans.<ref>Insert source here</ref>
In 1984, Schmidt was selected as the first official artist‑in‑residence for Artworks ’84 at the Louisiana World Exposition in New Orleans, working live in the Great Hall and contributing to the Fair’s arts programming.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bio – New Orleans |url=https://georgeschmidt.com/bio/ |website=George Schmidt Gallery |access-date=14 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Schmidt, George – Louisiana World Exposition, 1984 |url=https://archivesnolalibrary.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/archival_objects/91490 |website=New Orleans City Archives & Special Collections |access-date=14 July 2025}}</ref> He was commissioned to create ”A History of Carnival” for the InterContinental Hotel in New Orleans. In the 1990s, Schmidt traveled to Irian Jaya on a commission from Freeport McMoRan to paint tribal scenes for a hotel, reflecting his engagement with indigenous cultures.<ref>{{cite web |title=George Schmidt – Auction Records & Biography |url=https://www.askart.com/artist/George_Schmidt/117657/George_Schmidt.aspx |website=askART |access-date=14 July 2025}}</ref>
> In 1999, Schmidt was invited to exhibit his drawing Nick LaRocca at the Corner of Canal and Royal Streets, 1915 and his painting The Arrest of Louis Armstrong at the Florence Biennale in Italy.<ref>{{cite web |title=George Schmidt |url=https://64parishes.org/entry/george-schmidt |website=64 Parishes |access-date=14 July 2025}}</ref>
In the 1990s, Schmidt traveled to Irian Jaya (now West Papua, Indonesia) on commission from Freeport-McMoRan to paint scenes of the Amungme and Mimika tribes.<ref>Insert source here</ref> Two of his works, ”Nick LaRocca at the Corner of Canal and Royal Streets, 1915” and ”The Arrest of Louis Armstrong”, were exhibited at the 1999 Florence Biennale.<ref>Insert source here</ref>
In 2012, his solo exhibition ”Satire, Scandal and Spectacle: The Art of George Schmidt” was presented at the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in honor of Louisiana’s bicentennial.<ref>{{cite web |title=Satire, Scandal and Spectacle: The Art of George Schmidt |url=https://museum.louisiana.edu/exhibitions/2012/george-schmidt |website=Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum |access-date=14 July 2025}}</ref> Schmidt has also produced etching series and printwork featuring New Orleans street scenes and cultural icons. His works appear in public and private collections in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Some of Schmidt’s works are displayed in public venues in New Orleans, including Pete’s Pub at the InterContinental New Orleans, where patrons can view his pieces while dining.<ref>{{cite web |title=Review of George Schmidt Gallery |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60864-d142275-r472471735-George_Schmidt_Gallery-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html |website=TripAdvisor |access-date=14 July 2025}}</ref>
In 2012, the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette hosted a retrospective exhibition of his work, ”Satire, Scandal, and Spectacle: The Art of George Schmidt”, in honor of the state’s bicentennial.<ref>Insert source here</ref>
==Musical career==
==Musical career==
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Comment: Need to see some evidence of coverage in independent reliable sources e.g. books, magazines. Or evidence of multiple works in public collections. Take a look at WP:NARTIST. Sionk (talk) 12:15, 8 August 2025 (UTC)
New Orleans Artist and Musician
|
George Schmidt |
|
|---|---|
| File:George Schmidt in gallery.jpg | |
| Born |
Henry George Schmidt, Jr. November 14, 1944 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Tulane University (B.A., M.F.A.) |
| Known for | Painting, printmaking, music |
| Movement | Realism, historical satire |
George Schmidt (born Henry George Schmidt, Jr.; November 14, 1944) is an American painter, printmaker, and musician based in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is known for historically themed oil paintings with satirical elements and for co-founding and performing with the New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, where he serves as lead singer and banjo player. His work combines classical technique with historical and cultural narrative, particularly related to Louisiana.
Early life and education
Early life and education
George Schmidt was born on November 14, 1944, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended the Sam Barthe School for Boys and later De La Salle High School, where he participated in the school marching band. He went on to study painting and drawing at Tulane University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in 1973 under the mentorship of Pat Trivigno.[1]
Artistic career
Artistic career
Schmidt’s painting style is influenced by 19th-century realists such as Adolf Menzel and Edgar Degas. Known for blending classical technique with wit and satire, he frequently explores historical and cultural themes related to Louisiana. His work often depicts figures such as Jean Lafitte, Huey Long, and Louis Armstrong, combining narrative detail with social commentary.[2]
His early series satirizing New Orleans debutante traditions gained local attention and helped establish his reputation.[3] In 1984, he held a solo exhibition, A History of Jazz, at the New Orleans Museum of Art and served as the first artist-in-residence at the Louisiana World Exposition.[4] He was also commissioned to create A History of Carnival for the InterContinental Hotel in New Orleans.[5]
In the 1990s, Schmidt traveled to Irian Jaya (now West Papua, Indonesia) on commission from Freeport-McMoRan to paint scenes of the Amungme and Mimika tribes.[6] Two of his works, Nick LaRocca at the Corner of Canal and Royal Streets, 1915 and The Arrest of Louis Armstrong, were exhibited at the 1999 Florence Biennale.[7]
In 2012, the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette hosted a retrospective exhibition of his work, Satire, Scandal, and Spectacle: The Art of George Schmidt, in honor of the state’s bicentennial.[8]
Musical career
While studying at Tulane, Schmidt co-founded the New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, a revivalist ensemble focused on early 20th-century dance music. He serves as the group’s lead singer and banjo player. The orchestra performs a repertoire that includes ragtime, Tin Pan Alley, and Oriental foxtrot music.[9] The group has appeared regularly at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and was featured on NBC’s Saturday Night Live during a special Mardi Gras broadcast in 1977.[10] Their music has been featured in the soundtracks of several films, including Mark Frost’s Storyville (1992) and Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway (1994), where they perform “Up a Lazy River.”[11]
Personal life
Schmidt has long resided in New Orleans, where he operates the George Schmidt Gallery on Julia Street.[12] He is the life partner of the historic preservationist Patty Gay.
Legacy
Schmidt is recognized for his dual contributions to the visual and performing arts in Louisiana—his paintings offer a satirical but affectionate reinterpretation of local history, while his musical work has helped preserve and popularize early American dance music.[13]
Selected works
- A History of Jazz (1984)
- A History of Carnival (1980s)
- Nick LaRocca at the Corner of Canal and Royal Streets, 1915 (1990s)
- The Arrest of Louis Armstrong (1990s)
- The Oyster Dance, Storyville (1989)
References
External links
Category:1944 births
Category:Living people
Category:Artists from New Orleans
Category:American realist painters
Category:American printmakers
Category:Musicians from New Orleans
Category:Banjoists
Category:Tulane University alumni
