John Washington Love

(Aug. 10, 1850-June 24, 1880). John Washington Love was born in Napoleon, Indiana, to William and Mary Love, who moved to Indianapolis in 1860. Love attended the Indianapolis Public Schools and then Northwestern Christian University, now Butler University. Only after graduating from college did Love’s interest in art develop. He sought the tutelage of Barton Stone Hays, an early Indianapolis artist.

In 1869, Love left Indianapolis for Cincinnati to study under German-born painter Henry Mosler. Shortly after, Love headed to New York City to enroll at the School of Academy of Design before traveling to Europe in 1872, where he continued his studies. Settling in Paris, Love became the first Indiana artist to enter the École des Beaux-Arts, the oldest and most prestigious school of art in France. French painter and sculptor Jean-Léon Gérôme trained him at the school. Love returned to Indianapolis in 1876.

Back in Indianapolis, Love met James Farrington Gookins, a fellow Hoosier artist. Together, they established the first Indiana School of Art in 1877. Both Love and Gookins taught painting and drawing. Their students included William Forsyth, Charles Joseph Fiscus, Mary Bybee, Sue Merrill Ketcham, Julia G. Sharpe, Haute Tarkington, among others. Though successful in its ambition, the school failed to maintain a steady income flow, which led to its closing in late 1879.

Less than a year later, Love died due to inflammation of the stomach. He is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery.

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