Biography and Accomplishments

1868

On January 14,1868, Count Berthold John Von Imhoff is born in Mannheim, Germany to Count Leopold and Rosina (Allgeier) Von Imhoff. At the age of seven his paintings are receiving acclaim.

1880

Imhoff begins studies at such European schools as Oberwinter, Halle-an-der-Halle, and the art institute at Karlsruhe, Baden where he studies art in its higher forms. In 1898, he enters the academy of art at Dusseldorf, where he studies figure work.

1884

Imhoff is now 16 years of age and has perfected his technique of bold, vigorous brush work, dark colours and strong contrasts. He wins the Art Academy Award of Berlin for The Glory of Emperor Frederick, his depiction of the Emperor mounted on a charger while the Angel of Death plucks Fredrick's crown. Imhoff refuses an offer of $3,000 for the painting. To this day the painting is considered an Imhoff Masterpiece. It is currently housed for display at the Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Centre in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.

1891

Imhoff marries in 1891, to Matilde Johner, the daughter of Joseph and Leopoldina (Helmuth) Johner. Joseph Johner was one of Imhoff's art instructors at Bonndorf. Matilde and Berthold would have nine children.

1892

Feeling oppressed by the inflexibility of European Society, the artist-nobleman crosses the ocean and settles in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he establishes his own thriving art and fresco business. He becomes an itinerant artist, travelling throughout the eastern United States, painting in public buildings, usually churches and private homes of wealthy industrialists.

1913

Imhoff's fame mounts - but so does the pressure. As the eastern United States continues to develop into an industrial powerhouse, Imhoff once again searches for more serene lands. He chooses to join a wave of settlers heading for Canada's northwest frontier. His search for an isolated retreat brings him to what is today St. Walburg, Saskatchewan.

1925

Imhoff has by now decorated many of the small churches that dot the landscape of the Saskatchewan northwest. Due to the small budgets of pioneer parishes, many of these he completes for little or no remuneration.

1926

Imhoff completes what many consider his masterpiece. The cathedral in Reading, Pennsylvania, where 226 life-size figures adorn the walls of the cathedral. Imhoff began many of the paintings in his Saskatchewan studio over a period of two years, and then transported the unfinished work to the United States by train where he and members of his family would spend months completing the cathedral.

1930's

Much of North America feels the unrelentless grip of the Depression and Imhoff is also affected. Despite having little or no income from his work as an artist, Imhoff continues to work in his studio, covering canvass after canvass, for the glory of God and his own personal satisfaction.

1937

Imhoff's fame reaches directly to Rome. The Holy See bestows the title of St. Gregory the Great upon the artist. Pope Pius XI places this Knighthood on Imhoff at the request of bishops and priests throughout western Canada for the lifetime of work he spent capturing the image of Christ and his saints on canvass. Imhoff is 70 years of age.

1939

Imhoff suffer a massive stroke and dies in his bed at home. He is just one month away from his 72nd birthday. Hundreds attend the funeral, held in St. Walburg, Saskatchewan. He is buried at the Catholic Cemetery in St. Walburg. Matilde Johner Imhoff dies in 1944 and is buried next to her husband.

Post Humus

Imhoff's youngest son, Carl Imhoff, decides to keep the artist's collection intact and open for public viewing. For the next sixty years, visitors from across Canada, the United States and Europe visit the Imhoff Studio near St. Walburg. It remains open to this day.

1998

St. Walburg artist Susan Velder completes a five-year project in which a life-size statue of Imhoff riding a horse, is erected outside of the town. The St. Walburg Tourism and Heritage Society solicit funds to pay for the bronzing of the statue. I t is unveiled on May 18, 1998, almost sixty years after the artist's death.