Who painted Old Grumpy?

Old Grumpy was painted by Henry Keller in 1926.

Where can I see Old Grumpy?

Old Grumpy is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Can I buy a print of Old Grumpy?

Museum-quality prints of Old Grumpy are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Old Grumpy

Henry Keller , 1926

Old Grumpy is a drawing by Henry Keller. It dates from 1926 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1939.195
Credit line: Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr., for the Coralie Walker Hanna Memorial Collection

About this work

Look up Henry Keller (American, born Germany, 1869–1949) to see more of his work.

This painting shows an old man with a thick white beard. He sits in a wooden chair with a dark coat on. One hand grips a cane. His face is wrinkled and he looks tired.

Keller lived in Cleveland and often painted local people. This man could be a neighbor or someone from the neighborhood. The background is simple, so the focus stays on the man’s expression.

Look up Henry Keller (American, born Germany, 1869–1949) to see more of his work.

Overview

Old Grumpy is a 1926 drawing by Henry Keller, an artist associated with the Cleveland School of watercolor painters. Keller was born in Germany and later taught at the Cleveland School of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts an elderly man with a thick white beard, seated in a wooden chair, grasping a cane. His wrinkled face conveys a sense of tiredness. The simple background emphasizes the subject's expression, suggesting a focus on character study.

Technique & Style

The work is characterized by a straightforward representation of its subject, with attention drawn to the old man's facial expression and posture.

History & Provenance

Old Grumpy is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. Keller's work was influential, with artists such as Charles E. Burchfield and Paul Travis among those he taught.

Context

Keller often depicted local people in his work, suggesting that the subject may be a representation of someone from his Cleveland neighborhood.