Henry Prellwitz

A Centurion painter who has known Henry Prellwitz these many years says that “he was a painter of great talent and a man always thoughtful and kind—an agreeable companion on all occasions. He had an understanding of business matters rare in an artist, and his services as treasurer of the National Academy of Design were greatly appreciated by its members.”

He was born in New York. His studies at City College were followed by five years at the Art Students League, and three at the Académie Julian in Paris. He opened a studio in New York in 1890 at the age of twenty-four. Making his mark early, he won prizes and medals in New York, Philadelphia, and elsewhere. He was best known for his idealistic paintings such as “Tobias and the Angel.” His “Nausicaa” is in the Academy’s permanent collection.

Many years ago he bought an old mansion at Aquebogue and had it moved on barges to the Indian Neck woods on the shore of Peconic Bay, Long Island. He added two studios, one for Mrs. Prellwitz, a painter, the former Margaretha Mauer [sic: his wife’s name was Edith Mitchill; Margaretha Mauer Prellwitz was his mother’s name], whom he married forty-six years ago. Of late he had appeared at the Century only on such days as he was in town on the business of that well-managed institution, the Academy.

Geoffrey Parsons
1940 Century Memorials