The Leopold Foundation is delighted to welcome an original Owen J. Gromme painting to our collection. “Sandhill Crane Standing at Nest” was recently given to us by Owen’s son, Roy Gromme, and his wife Susie (pictured above), of Oconomowoc, WI.
Painted in 1956 as a gift to Roy (and never reproduced as a print), this rarely displayed Gromme work is set at Roy’s farm, located not too far from the Shack. It depicts a female sandhill crane with her eggs.
“What we find so inspiring about this painting is that it documents the early days of the rebound in Wisconsin’s sandhill crane population,” says Buddy Huffaker, the Leopold Foundation’s executive director. “Not to mention that the Shack can be seen in the distance.”
Known as the “U.S. dean wildlife artists,” Owen Gromme was a naturalist and painter who worked with Aldo Leopold to influence legislation that would protect herons, hawks, and owls. We are honored to display a piece of his artwork here at the Leopold Center. Visit us Monday through Friday between 10 AM and 4 PM to view the painting and tour the Leopold Center and our trails. As always, we’d like to hear what else you would like to see on display at the Leopold Center.