Choose a mood and the room itself answers — the light cools or warms, the air changes pace, and only the works that carry that feeling step forward from the dark. Everything else recedes into shadow.
Early Life and Artistic Foundations Alexander Simeon Masley, born December 6th, 1903, in the small town of Akeley, Minnesota, emerged from a family deeply rooted in immigrant experience. His parents, hailing from Czechoslovakia, instilled within him a strong work ethic and an appreciation for their cultural heritage—values that would subtly permeate his artistic vision throughout his life. Growing up in Minneapolis, Masley’s early tale
nt was nurtured by supportive parents who recognized the importance of formal training. He initially pursued studies at the University of Minnesota before dedicating himself to the Minneapolis School of Art from 1925 to 1929. This period proved pivotal; it culminated in his winning the prestigious Ethel Morrison VanDerlip foreign traveling scholarship in 1929, an opportunity that propelled him towards a transformative experience in Eur…
