Johannes Spitler

[3] His style is distinctive; historians have posited that its uniqueness was informed by the geographic and social isolation of the community in which he lived and worked.

[4] Many of his pieces were traditional, while others incorporated natural imagery in addition to abstract patterns.

[3] Several pieces by Spitler were included in an exhibition of Virginia folk art at Colonial Williamsburg in 1973, an event which led to the identification of a body of work by Donald R.

[5] Today the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum owns a chest painted by Spitler,[6] as well as one of the clocks.

[10] The American Folk Art Museum owns two chests and the second clock, which was a gift from Ralph Esmerian.