Mark Twain Painting by Paul Meijering

About "Mark Twain Painting"

by Paul Meijering

About the artwork

Realistic acrylic painting of the American writer Mark Twain, painted by the Dutch fine artist Paul Meijering - the original painting is 90 x 90 cm.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Florida (Missouri), 30 November 1835 - Redding (Connecticut), 21 April 1910), better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer and humorist. Twain became best known for his novels The Fate of Tom Sawyer and The Fate of Huckleberry Finn, the latter in particular is often referred to as a Great American Novel. Twain enjoyed enormous popularity with the public. His perceptiveness and razor-sharp satire earned him praise from critics and colleagues alike. American writer William Faulkner called Twain "the father of American literature". His work is quoted extensively. During his lifetime, he was friends with many high-profile figures, including presidents, scientists, artists and entrepreneurs.

Twain met Charles Langdon, who showed him a photograph of his sister Olivia; Twain claimed it was love at first sight. They became acquainted in 1868. They got engaged a year later and married in February 1870 in Elmira, New York.
The couple lived in Buffalo, New York, from 1869 to 1871. Their son Langdon died of diphtheria when he was nineteen months old. In 1871, Twain and his family moved to Hartford, Connecticut. There, Olivia gave birth to three daughters: Susy (1872-1896), Clara (1874-1962) and Jean (1880-1909). Their marriage lasted 34 years, until Olivia's death in 1904.

Twain is buried near his wife's family grave at Woodlawn cemetery in Elmira. His grave is marked by a four-metre-high monument placed there by Clara, the daughter who survived him.