Meyer-Kassel fundraiser a big hit

The Douglas County Historical Society held a successful event at the Genoa Courthouse Museum on the evening of Aug. 30, celebrating the opening of the Hans Meyer-Kassel Art Gallery.

Born in Germany, Meyer-Kassel was an internationally known European artist, who spent his senior years living in Genoa, using oils, pastels and pencil for various subjects, on canvas, preserving much of Nevada’s beauty and history.

In 1951, his painting depicting the “Nevada First Settlement Centennial 1891-1991,” was chosen for a 3-cent U.S. postage stamp.

The original of that art, featuring a pioneering scene with a log cabin in the foreground, the Sierra as a backdrop, a wagon, men, and animals, is part of the permanent gallery, along with many other Meyer-Kassel paintings, showcasing his broad and amazing talent.

The presentation of the gallery was under the direction of Douglas County Historical Society Curator Brenda Cullen.

Special guests at the event were Jack Bacon, author of “Hans Meyer-Kassel Artist of Nevada,” Meyer-Kassel’s nephew Bill Brooks of Genoa, and other members of the Meyer-Kassel family.

Meyer-Kassel was a famous painter before he came to the United States, and was dubbed professor by Kaiser Wilhelm after he painted a portrait of the ruler’s niece, according to his obituary published in The Record-Courier.

Brooks, was only 6 years old when Meyer-Kassell died Aug. 29, 1952.

The gallery is open during regular hours of the museum, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Sunday, April to October. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for youth $2 with visitors age 6 and younger free. There is no admission charge for members of the Douglas County Historical Society or members of the Historical Society of Alpine County. For more information call 775-782-2555.