A painter recognized for his highly individual interpretation of Cubism, Karl Knaths was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in 1891. He grew up in the Midwest, and in 1912, he moved to Chicago, where he studied at the School of the Art Institute for four years. In 1913, he saw the Chicago exhibition of the groundbreaking Armory Show and was immediately drawn to the modernist work from Paris, especially the art of Paul Cézanne.

Massachusetts in 1919. His earliest work was inspired by the art of the Impressionists. However, after fraternizing with many of the local artists who had experienced the progressive art life of Paris, and by studying the examples of advanced European art in books and magazines, Knaths became deeply influenced ...