1927 – 2022

Don Langeneckert
American, 1927 – 2022

A prolific painter and illustrator, Don Langeneckert was born on March 12, 1927, in St. Louis, Missouri.

After graduating Roosevelt High School, St. Louis, Langeneckert served in the United States Amy. He was stationed at Casablanca in 1945 and spent 18 months in North Africa.

Upon his return to St. Louis in 1947, Langeneckert married Nadine Duckworth, and began studying Fine Art at Washington University in St. Louis through the GI Bill. He graduated from the School of Arts in 1950, going on to work with Jose Cavillo in Detroit, Michigan.

From a young age, Langeneckert had developed a deep fondness for horses, painting them for enjoyment. By 1952 he was able to purchase his first horse after joining the advertising company Cassell, Watkins & Paul as an illustrator. The firm’s downtown studio - located on a riverboat – was sunk by an ice storm.

By 1957, Langeneckert had moved to Centaur Studios, where he produced magazine illustrations, billboards, and posters until establishing his full-time freelance career in 1962.

That same year, Langeneckert began to work alongside his fellow Washington University alumni Richard D. Juenger, a design and lettering specialist. They shared a studio at The Equitable Building. Though both Juenger and Langeneckert maintained separate businesses, the two frequently collaborated on projects for mutual clients including Anheuser-Busch, Ralston Purina, Elanco Products, Gardner Advertising Co., D’Arcy-MacManus & Masius, Monsanto, and Falstaff.

Langeneckert’s career was prolific. Among his numerous commercial illustrations for Falstaff, he produced two paintings included in the company’s History of Brewing calendar. In addition to his advertising work, Langeneckert began receiving project requests from public and private institutions. In 1964, The Missouri Historical Society commissioned two paintings of steamboats – one of his favorite subjects to depict. Langeneckert also completed a large-scale mural, 10 x 28 feet, for the Masonic lodge in 1972.

By 1980, Langeneckert had moved from The Equitable Building  on Broadway to a new studio at his home. Built above his personal horse-barn, Langeneckert continued his advertising work in this new space. He produced a series of 70 beer steins for Anheuser-Busch, nearly 200 dog and cat posters for Ralston-Purina, numerous cattle and pig posters for Elanco Products, and a series of 1870 Western paintings for Baisler Electric.

Langeneckert spent his free time cultivating his fine art practice. When asked what he did for pleasure, he responded during a newspaper interview: “I paint… I enjoy painting horses and steamboats. It’s very relaxing to me.”

Drawing extensively from his commercial illustrating experience, Langeckert translated his  skillset – an ability to accurately render detail, eye for magnetic compositions, and deep knowledge of color theory – to his personal practice.

Some themes – horses, steamboats – continued from his commercial portfolio, but Langeneckert’s fine art centered around the people, history, and his lived experience of St. Louis.

Recalling Norman Rockwell’s idyllic and precious all-American vignettes, Langeneckert’s paintings lovingly illustrate his hometown; From the hoof-trodden lanes of the horse races to sunny fall days at Eckert’s Farm, to the dinging street cars in front of the Fabulous Fox – and of course – a summer afternoon spent at Ted Drewes.

Upon his death in 2022, Langeneckert was remembered for his robust career as a well-respected commercial and fine artist.  His work can be found in many corporate, institutional, and private collections worldwide.

In 2023, Kodner Gallery organized the exhibition, St. Louis Illustrated: Don Langeneckert (American, 1927 – 2022), which presents a retrospective survey of work that spans the career of the artist and illustrator.