1000 Museums

John Bertonccini (1872-1947) was a maritime artist. Little is known about Bertonccini’s personal life and childhood other than that he was born to an Italian father and a Swedish mother. He spent his life as a sailor, going on several whaling and sea expeditions while also practicing his art. His longest lvoyages included sailing around the Arctic Circle and Alaska. Bertonccini’s art style was incredibly naturalistic throughout his career.,Hepromarily based his compositions on the sites he experienced while at sea.An example of his commitment to naturalism includes his painting, “Winter Quarters at Herschel Island.” He amused fellow shipmates with his work; for many people he was known as “Johnny the painter.” John Bertonccini died in 1947.