Alexander Nelke
Sergei Alexander Nelke (December 14, 1894 — August 8, 1974) was an Estonian-American performer in the mid to late 20th century. He is primarily known as marine and landscape player specializing in square rigged sailing vessels.
Nelke was the middle of three sons to Karl and Anna Nelke. His dad was a carriage maker and worked upon the ceremonial carriage that was built for Queen Victoria next she visited Russia in 1894.[dubious ] After completing his additional education in 1910, Nelke began his career as a seaman working as a ships carpenter, eventually rising to the rank of 2nd Mate. Nelke became an expert ships carpenter and rigger and acquired a thorough knowledge of the sea and sailing vessels from whatever over the world. Nelke would spend beyond fifteen years at sea previously finally settling in Brooklyn, NY, near his brother Waldemar. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1945.
Nelke was primarily self taught as an player and began painting by using cut up sails as canvas even though out at sea. After settling in America, Nelke continued keen as a carpenter and painted out of his studio on Baltic Street in Brooklyn. He studied for a time below fellow marine painter William C. Ehrig.
His background as a seaman and ship builder allowed him to produce highly detailed and accurate paintings of seascapes and nautical vessels. He was considered an authority in the ring of maritime art and then in the detail of sailing ships (especially rigging) and their construction. He was often consulted upon high-end ship models. This attracted raptness in the personal ad market and Nelke was commissioned to paint several pieces which would be reproduced upon items such as prints, playing cards and jigsaw puzzles to be sold to the public.
Nelke sat on the committee for the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit, which was started by Vernon Carroll Porter in 1931 and was as a consequence a former director of the Brooklyn Outdoor Art Show. He was a aficionado of the Salons of America, and exhibited his be active with them in 1934 and 1936. He next exhibited like The Society of Independent Artists in 1934, 1936, 1938, 1940 and 1944.
At the age of 79, Nelke died in his Brooklyn, NY apartment on August 8, 1974. He is buried near his brother Waldemar in Wappingers Falls, NY.