Helge Hokanson (1893-1967) American, Oil on Board. Painting of Lake Michigan Sand Dunes. Hokanson is especially known for his paintings capturing the unique beauty of sand dunes. Stamp on back includes artist information and origin of work. Signed bottom right.

Overall: 21 1/2 X 27 1/2 in. 

Sight: 17 1/2 X 23 1/2 in. 

Depth: 2 in. 

#2687 . 

Helge Hokanson was born July 31st, 1893 in Gary, Indiana, where he lived his entire life. In his mid 20s he moved into a home on Miller Avenue with an expansive view of the Indiana Dunes, a naturally occurring sandy expanse of beach along the southern coast of Lake Michigan. It became a primary source of inspiration for him as he began to practice oil painting, and led him to interact with prominent local artists of the day like Hazel Hannell and Harriett Rex Smith. He was also an inventor, patenting a “purse protecting case” in 1939. An outspoken supporter of women’s rights and the artistic community, his was one of the loudest voices that called for preservation of the Dunes, using his artwork to inspire ecological salvation and becoming one of the earliest contributors to the Save the Dunes Conservation Fund. Although he surrounded himself with like-minded activists and had an expansive family, he never married. He died in his home on May 6th, 1967, and is buried in Leesburg Cemetery alongside his sister Dorothy Rosburgh. Today, his work is found in many private collections in Indiana, and is on permanent display at the Porter County Museum and in the West Chester Township History Museum and Brown Mansion.