By Tom Kollenborn, 2000
Superstition Mountain has attracted artists and photographers from around the world. Hundreds paint Superstition Mountain in watercolors, oils and pastels each year. This type of interest reveals just how important Superstition Mountain is as a subject to artist[s].
Carl Redin, a noted Swedish artist arrived unobtrusively and unostentatiously into Phoenix in February of 1927 from Santa Fe, New Mexico to paint Superstition Mountain on his canvas. Redin was well known as an artist of Southwestern landscapes during the early half of the 20th century.
Redin spent several years in the Swedish Navy. It was here he obtained success as a painter of marine subjects. Redin immigrated to Chicago in 1913. His ill health forced him to move to a drier climate. Redin suffered from tuberculosis. He chose the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico settling in Santa Fe around 1916. He eventually built a studio in Albuquerque. Redin’s painting of Jemez Canyon in New Mexico titled “Red Earth” captures the landscape in overwhelming reality. This was one of his best known paintings. Redin’s “Red Earth” in 1925-1926 captured the fancy of art critics throughout the nation. The crown prince of Sweden ordered several of his paintings after viewing the “Red Earth”. These painting[s] were to be h[u]ng in the Swedish National Gallery in Stockholm.
Carl Redin found Superstition Mountain a fabulous subject to paint. He continued his work in Arizona and included paintings along the Apache Trail and at Roosevelt Lake. One of his favor[ite] painting sites was Fish Creek Canyon and Hill. He also painted Tonto ruins and Roosevelt Dam.
Redin had planned to capture with his oils on canvas, the elusive beauty of Superstition Mountain, Fish Creek Canyon, and the Apache Trail. He said, “Arizona is complete. It is a state incorporating a wealth of the rarest beauty. No wonder Arizonians are proud.”
Redin was an accomplish[ed] landscape artist. He won the distinguished Gold Medal from the Chicago Institute of Art in 1933. Carl Redin taught art at the University of New Mexico art department in Albuquerque from 1929-1930. Redin passed away in 1944. He was an active artist from 1910-1940.
