Victor Casenelli (1867-1961)

Casenelli was born in New York City of Genoese parents. His first art studio was in Cincinnati. After it was destroyed by fire, he moved to Muskegon, Michigan in 1904 where he lived the rest of his life. He received no format art training. In 1929 he was commissioned by the National Lumberman's Bank of Muskegon to paint seventeen murals portraying that city's history. Consistent with his desire for historical authenticity, Casenelli sought out and spoke with older residents about life in early Muskegon, especially during the lumber boom era.

Casenelli was sensitive to the passing of the era of the lumberman which was being eclipsed by the rapidly emerging i...