Grand Rapids in Kent County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mathias Alten Home & Studio / Mathias Alten

Mathias Alten Home & Studio Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

1. Mathias Alten Home & Studio Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Mathias Alten Home & Studio Grand Rapids painter Mathias Joseph Alten and his wife, Bertha, bought this house in 1914. Built in 1907, it was Alten's home and, from 1930 to 1938, his studio. Alten, who emigrated from Germany to Grand Rapids in 1889 at age 17, was a muralist who worked for churches, theaters, and businesses. He soon became a prolific oil painter, steadily developing his style, while traveling extensively. Alten held exhibitions here.

Mathias Alten Local artist Mathias J. Alten (1871 - 1938) sailed to Paris in 1898 to study art at the Academies Julian and Colorossi. Alten traveled and painted throughout Europe and the U.S., depicting in his Impressionistic style a range of subjects: still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and animal studies. Above all, he was devoted to West Michigan, from Saugatuck to Leland. His work has been widely exhibited and hangs in private collections, museums, and other public spaces in Michigan and elsewhere.

Erected 2006 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker

Mathias Alten Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

2. Mathias Alten Marker

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Number S0694.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 42° 57.771′ N, 85° 37.8′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in Kent County. Marker is at the intersection of Fulton Street East and Alten Avenue Northeast, on the right when traveling west on Fulton Street East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1593 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids MI 49503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Aquinas College (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holmdene (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shrine of Our Lady War Dead Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Boy Scout Troop 15 / Eagle Scout Gerald "Junior" Ford (approx. 0.6 miles away); Central Reformed Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); Voigt House (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Castle (approx. 1.4 miles away); Central High School (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Rapids.

Mathias Alten Home & Studio / Mathias Alten Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

3. Mathias Alten Home & Studio / Mathias Alten Marker

Mathias Alten Home & Studio image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

4. Mathias Alten Home & Studio

View from Fulton Street

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

5. Mathias Alten Home & Studio

View from Alten Avenue

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

6. Mathias Alten Home & Studio / Mathias Alten Marker

The home & studio were added to the NRHP on June 23, 2009.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 148 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.