Frederick Kemmelmeyer: A Self-Taught Pioneer of American Folk Art Frederick Kemmelmeyer (c. 1755 – c. 1821) stands as a remarkable figure in the annals of American art history—a testament to artistic brilliance achieved entirely through self-education and driven by an unwavering passion for capturing the spirit of his time. Born in Berlin, Germany, Kemmelmeyer’s journey to becoming one of Maryland's most celebrated portrait painters is shrouded in intriguing speculation and marked by a nomadic existence that spanned across Virginia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Early Life & Education: P…