Ernest Emilio Lanzi was born in Bern, Switzerland on June 30, 1884. Lanz (né Emilio Lanzi) studied at the Swiss Academy of Art in Bern and in Paris at Ecole des Beaux Arts, Julian and Colorossi academies.
While in Paris, he studied anatomy at Sorbonne University. By 1931 he had settled in Los Angeles. During the Depression he was employed at Schenck's Music House and taught at Keszthelyi Art Academy. He died in in Los Angeles on May 6, 1965.
His work includes desert landscapes, portraits, still lifes, ethnic and religious genre.
Member: California Art Club; Painters & Sculptors of Los Angeles.
Exhibited: Greek Theater (Los Angeles), 1954.
Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"
City Directory; California Arts and Architecture list, 1932; Social Security Death Index (1940-2002); Who’s Who in American Art, 1959.
Biography from Bodega Bay Heritage Gallery
Emilio Lanzi, also known as Ernest Emil Lanz:
An internationally known painter, lecturer, writer and teacher; he was born in Bern, Switzerland, studied at the Swiss Art Academy of Bern, at the Ecole des Beaux Arts, Colorossi, and Academie Julienne of Paris, France. Lanzi took a course in portraiture at the Academy at Munich, Germany, and two years of anatomy at the Sorbonne University of Paris.
He studied with the greatest artist-teachers of the day, Robert Fleury, Plinio Colombi, Christopher Baumgartner, etc.
Lanzi exhibited extensively in Europe and America, and painted portraits of many famous people. His work is represented in many private collections and galleries.
He taught at the Keszthelyi Academy of Fine Arts and held many positions of responsibility at clubs and societies in the U.S. and abroad. He was the President-Founder of the Atheneum of Philosophy, Science and Art, and a member of the AAPL, Bohemian Club, Prof. Artists Guild, California Art Club, F.I.A.L., St. Martin, Hermetic Lodge, Gnostic Sc., Phoenix, Es. Phil., Masonic Lodge, and others.
Known for his California and Arizona Desert scenes, marines, still lives, portraits, large group compositions, and mythological and religious subject series, Lanzi was the recipient of many medals, prizes and awards.
Listed in, among others:
Who's Who in American Art, Who's Who in the West, Kunstlerlexikon
Emilio and Theresa Lanzi maintained a studio in Los Angeles, California.
Source:
vintage Lanzi Fine Art Studios biographical pages, title cards, and exhibition stickers affixed verso of various oil paintings; some title and exhibition stickers say Emil Lanz, some say Emilio Lanzi.