George W. Lininger

George W. Lininger (1834-1907), was an implement dealer, art collector, private gallery owner, and civic leader in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

[4] After arriving in Omaha, Lininger purchased a large brick Second Empire mansion at 18th and Davenport Streets.

Lininger's art collection had its beginnings with four paintings he bought from a street peddler in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Of this purchase Lininger would later muse, "I then made up my mind that when I had money enough I'd fill my home with art.

Constructed of brick and terra cotta in the Italian Renaissance style, it was ringed by bands of grey stone.

The floor was set with inlaid tile, marble wainscoting surrounded the room, and mahogany and bronze completed the trimmings.

[8][9] Many of the works were purchased locally, some were given to the University of Nebraska and the remainder were sent to eastern art dealers for sale there.

[1] In 1972, the Joslyn Art Museum mounted a two-part show entitled "The Lininger Era".

In 1890, Lininger agreed to pay for Gutzon Borglum (who later carved Mount Rushmore) to travel to Europe for two to three years to study art.

In thanking Lininger for his generosity Borglum vowed, "I shall work hard with the hope of doing something that may reflect credit upon the friends who have expressed so much faith in my abilities.

"[11] In addition to sharing his art with the public, Lininger also freely gave his time and energy to civic duties.

His body lay in state in his beloved art gallery for two days before burial in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha.