(Elk Cave Drawing)

John William Winkler

John William Winkler was generally known for his realistic depictions of daily life, whether on a street corner in Chinatown, San Francisco, or on a bucolic farm in France. However, a portion of his early creative output sprang from the ancient cave drawings found in Spain, France, and the African continent. Often considered the artistic inspiration for 20th century Modernists like Picasso, these images nonetheless appealed to more traditional artists; in Winkler's case, it highlights his ability to change up his delicate linework and to find the elegance of bolder strokes, rich earth tones, and a softness rarely found in his preferred medium, etching.