John Ruhl

Who is John Ruhl?

John Ruhl was an American sculptor of German descent born April 14, 1873 in New York City and died November 19, 1940 in Hackensack, New Jersey.

At an early age John knew exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up. He wanted to be an artist. His parents, Anton and Frieda, did everything they could to discourage him. They felt that all artists starved in attics. When he left the New York public school system, his father made him take a job with an insurance company as a clerk. He hated the work and longed for a career in the art field.

In 1888 he enrolled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art School. In April the following year, the Art School sponsored a contest for the students. Unbeknown to his parents, John entered the contest. On Saturday, April 28, The New York Sun reported, "The main prize of one hundred dollars was the Robert Hoe prize, offered in open competition for ‘an object of art.' The prize ‘For a Yacht Race' was won by John Ruhl whose design was a large vase shaped cup, done in plaster, it bore in bas relief on the body images of yachts in full sail and the handle was a dolphin." His parents were very impressed.