David John Gue

1836-1917

He painted “Nantucket Beach.” 

Born in Brooklyn, New York, David John Gue followed his older brother out to the new state of Iowa in 1852, where they pioneered a farm. His brother, Benjamin Franklin Gue, soon embarked on a political career in which he helped establish Iowa State University and, remarkably for that time, insisted that the school allow women to enroll. David John also pursued other interests, becoming a lawyer and then working as a pharmacist in Fort Dodge. He did not become an artist until he was past 50, and, as in all professional avenues of his life, he was self-taught. Like many artists living in newly settled areas where there was no formal art instruction, he likely imitated famous paintings, which he could have seen in prints that circulated out to the frontier or were reproduced in magazines. This painting suggests he looked particularly at Dutch seascape paintings.

He is best known for his portraits of Grant, Lincoln, and Beecher. He also painted landscapes and marines.