Finkelstein, Louis

Louis Finkelstein was an artist and community member who lived on Cranberry Island with his wife Gretna Campbell. He was a painter, and depicted the island in his artworks. The following is an excerpt from the booklet ‘Artists of Cranberry Isles’ written by Wini Smart.

“Louis Finkelstein was born in 1923 in New York City. He studied art at Cooper Union, an old well respected art school there. His friends included several artists who later came to Great Cranberry Island: Ashley Bryan, Dorothy Eisner, Emily Nelligan, and Buddy Bileck. Louis married his fellow student, Gretna Campbell.

Louis first taught at the Brooklyn Museum School of Art. In 1958 he won a Fulbright Fellowship to study for two years in Italy: a year in Rome, and another in Spolito. Summers, the family stayed at a house George Bunker owned in Bibemus, France, in a quarry where Cézanne had also stayed and painted. Louis tried to recreate the views of Cézanne, painting from the same vantage points. When they returned, George Bunker, Director of the Philadelphia College of Art, invited him to teach there. Ashley Bryan was also teaching there at that time.

Louis later taught at Yale Art School, and later still was appointed Chair of the Art Department at Queens College, where he established the Masters of Fine Art program. He remained there until the age of 67. He was one of the founders of the Studio School, New York.

Louis and Gretna Campbell bought their house on Great Cranberry Island in 1950 and summered here until Gretna's untimely death in 1987. Then, with the feeling he was “painted out” on Cranberry, Louis returned to New York City. His subject matter then turned from landscapes to cityscapes, and became more figurative. He became interested in mythology and used those themes. He has exhibited widely in New York City. Well known for writings on art, he became a sought-after lecturer, speaking at the Chicago Art Institute and around the country. He died in the year 2000.” Learn more about Finkelstein by browsing our related materials.