Ralph Albert Blakelock (October 15, 1847 - August 9, 1919) was a romanticist painter from the United States.
Ralph Blakelock was born in New York City on October 15, 1847. In 1864, Blakelock entered the Free Academy of the City of New York (now known as the City College) with aspirations of becoming a physician. After his third term he opted to dismiss his formal education and left college. From 1869-71 he traveled west, extensively wandering far from known civilization and spending time among the American Indians. Largely self-taught as an artist, he began producing competent landscapes, depicting select views from his travels, as well as scenes of American Indian life. His works were exhibited in the National Academy of Design.
After repeated failed business transactions that he began to suffer from extreme depression and eventually show symptoms of mental frailty. In 1899 he suffered a breakdown.
While confined he continued to paint, painting on the backs of cardboard and various supports, substituting bark and his own hair for brushes. He continued painting until his death at the age of 72 on Aug. 9, 1919. - wikipedia
