Wilhelm Clement Theodor Blomberg (1829-1909)

Wilhelm Clement Theodor Blomberg (1829–1909) was a Danish-born artist who emigrated to America in 1860 and settled in Cincinnati. A fresco painter by profession, he decorated church interiors, sometimes working with his father-in-law Ulrich Christian Tandrop, while also painting landscapes, seascapes, portraits, and other works on canvas. Wilhelm and his wife Catherine “Kate” Tandrop raised five children, including my great-grandmother Ella Blomberg LeBlond. He is my great, great grandfather.

Birth

Wilhelm Clement Theodor Blomberg was born on September 27, 1829, in Copenhagen, Denmark, to parents Jacob Wilhelm Blomberg (1801–1853) and Caroline Jensine Elizabeth Eckhaussen.

Emigration

He left for America on October 3, 1860, at the age of 31, sailing from Hamburg, Germany, on the ship Steamer Saxonia. He became a naturalized citizen in 1889.

Marriage

He married Catherine Tandrop (nicknamed Kate), sixteen years his junior, on July 11, 1863. The couple settled in Cincinnati. Kate was born in Munich, Germany on December 13, 1845 and died in Cincinnati, Ohio, in August 1937.

Children

1. Fanny Thora Blomberg. Married Walter Palm.
2. William Theodore Blomberg. Married Lillian Morecraft.
3. Harry Charles Blomberg. Married Florence.
4. Eleanor “Ella” Anna Blomberg. Married Robert LeBlond.
5. Cordelia Marie “Cora” Blomberg. Married Ernest Roden.

Occupation

William was a fresco painter who painted murals in churches. He also painted landscapes and seascapes on canvas. He worked with his father-in-law, Ulrich Christian Tandrop, to decorate church interiors.

William traveled to other states to paint churches. Here he is in Wheeling, West Virginia.

By 1880 he was apparently in business with someone named “Tschudi”, as referenced in this newspaper.

This website contains additional info about Blomberg’s partnership with Tschudi: https://drypigment.net/theatre/scenic-artists/page/3/. (Use Control F to find mentions of Blomberg in this very long text.)

Wilhelm Clement Theodor Blomberg Gallery of Paintings

Here are the paintings I’ve been able to identify so far. All are privately owned by descendants of the artist. If you have a painting you’d like to share, please contact me.

I also found a Blomberg work catalogued by the Smithsonian called Urn with Flowers, dated 1877, oil on canvas, 21″ x 17″. The owner’s name is restricted. If you are the owner, please send me a photo of your painting to add to William’s gallery!

The last two paintings in the gallery above were sold at auction in recent years. I tried to bid on both but was not successful in obtaining them.

Death

Wilhelm died on August 21, 1909 in Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of 80.

Additional Documentation