Questions and answers
Short answers about the life and work of Ronald Edward Johnson (1930–2020).
Who was Ronald Edward Johnson?
Ronald Edward Johnson (1930–2020) was an American painter, sculptor and goldsmith. He was born in Detroit on November 12, 1930, grew up in St. Louis and lived in Germany from 1961, most recently in Lower Franconia, Bavaria. He died in Mainstockheim on April 9, 2020.
Where did Ronald E. Johnson study?
At Indiana University in Bloomington from 1951 to 1955. He graduated on June 13, 1955, with a Bachelor of Science in Education in art education, and was a member of the university’s gymnastics team.
Who taught him sculpture?
Robert Laurent, George Rickey and David Smith; all three taught in Bloomington during his years there. He was David Smith’s master student. His teachers →
Was he a master student of David Smith?
Yes. The sculptor David Smith taught in Bloomington as a visiting professor in the 1954–55 academic year, Johnson’s final year, standing in for Robert Laurent.
Which artists did he name as influences?
In a text of his own he wrote that he could learn a great deal from others, naming Pollock, Thiele and Max Beckmann. Without the discoveries of Pollock and Thiele, he wrote, his work would be unthinkable.
How did he come to Germany?
As an officer in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps he was transferred to Hanau in 1961. From 1963 until 1985 he taught arts and crafts for the U.S. Army, first in Worms, later in Schweinfurt.
Where did he live and work in Germany?
From about 1974 to 1998 in Lendershausen near Hofheim (Haßberge district), where he had his first studio of his own, then in Gernach (municipality of Kolitzheim, Schweinfurt district). He was a member of BBK Unterfranken, the regional artists’ association.
What kind of art did he make?
Abstract painting, above all poured paintings in acrylic and mixed media with relief-like surfaces, as well as sculpture in marble, stone and wood, and jewelry. From 1992 to 1995 he trained as a goldsmith.
Where was his work exhibited?
Among other places: in 1956 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; in 1998 at the Unterfränkische Kulturtage in the Schüttbau Rügheim; in 2000 at the annual exhibition of BBK Unterfranken in Würzburg; in 2003 at the Fürther Kunst-Begegnungen; in 2005 at the sculpture symposium in Tauberbischofsheim; in 2009 in “50 + XXL” in Munich; in 2010 in two retrospectives for his 80th birthday in Tauberbischofsheim and at the Kulturspeicher Würzburg; and in 2024 at the Kunstverein Fulda. Life and exhibitions →
Are his works in public collections?
In 2000 the Bavarian State Painting Collections in Munich acquired an untitled oil painting (132 × 157.5 cm, inventory number KM 1701) from BBK Unterfranken. His sandstone figure from the 2005 sculpture symposium stands in the Stadtgraben in Tauberbischofsheim.
How many works did he leave?
The estate comprises more than 700 works: paintings, works on paper and sculptures.
Who looks after the estate?
The art dealer Jürgen Wollmann in Schwalmstadt-Treysa, Germany, looks after works from the estate and is preparing the catalogue raisonné.
Is there a catalogue raisonné?
It is in preparation and will not be published online. Information and extracts are available on request for a fee.
Can I buy works by Ronald E. Johnson?
Yes, selected originals from the estate are in the shop. A non-binding purchase enquiry is followed by a personal offer. To the shop →
I own a work or have memories of him. Whom should I contact?
Please use the contact form. Every known work and every memory helps to document his life and work completely. To the contact page →