by Paul A. Tenkotte
Special to NKyTribune
He was one of the first art teachers of Covington native and internationally-known artist Frank Duveneck (1848-1919). His murals and artworks are featured in churches from the East Coast through the Midwest in the United States. In his day, he was one of the most-sought-after ecclesiastical artists in the United States.
Johann Schmitt was born in 1825 in Heinstadt, Baden, Germany. He lived in Munich, Germany when he was young. Munich was a city that was at the epicenter of European church art.
In 1848, Schmitt immigrated to the United States, first settling in Melrose in Westchester County, New York. He painted murals for St. Alphonsus Church (demolished) in New York City, and for other churches along the East Coast.
In 1862, at the invitation of the Catholic Benedictine brothers, he came to Covington to work for the Covington Altar Stock Building Company. This Benedictine-operated company was located near St. Joseph Catholic Church in Covington. It employed young German artisans to construct altars and to paint murals and altarpieces for Catholic churches throughout the United States.
Schmitt’s largest mural, The Crucifixion, is at St. Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay, Wisconsin. A remarkable 25-minute video tour of this splendid cathedral is viewable for free at: http://sfxcathedralgb.com/75
Schmitt’s artistry can be enjoyed throughout the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region. He painted seven murals for Holy Cross-Immaculata Church on Mount Adams in Cincinnati. They remain there today, beautifully restored. You can learn more about them at The Paintings.
In addition, Schmitt’s St. Joseph with the Christ Child can be seen at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Camp Springs. St. Joseph Catholic Church in Crescent Springs, which is celebrating its Centennial this year, also has a painting of St. Joseph by Schmitt.
In 1890-91, Schmitt painted five large murals for Mother of God Catholic Church in Covington, Kentucky, depicting the Five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Beautifully restored, these can be viewed during regular church hours.
Johann Schmitt died in Covington in 1898. He was buried in Mother of God Cemetery.
Paul A. Tenkotte (tenkottep@nku.edu) is Professor of History and Director of the Center for Public History at NKU. With other well-known regional historians, James C. Claypool and David E. Schroeder, he is a co-editor of the new 450-page Gateway City: Covington, Kentucky, 1815-2015, now available at your local booksellers, the City of Covington, and online sellers.
I am Bro. Tim from St Francis Seraph
In Cincinnati . We have 6 paintings by Johann Schmitt which are still hanging in the church
5 of them are in need of restoration
Do you know of anyone who might help fiscally for such a project?