We normally don’t think of pioneers as artists, but many talentedimmigrants came to this country from 1800-1920, and brought with themtheir trained artistic talents. Naturally, the artists came after the land was settled and government established. A new country has to be far advanced before the people become interested enough in beauty to placefine works of art in their homes. That is why any civilization is judged by its art more than anything else. “Time is fleeting; art alone endures”
Peter Mansbendel was among those immigrants and pioneers in art who came to Texas, he came not because the interest in art was high in Texas but for another reason…for love. The result however, was that he was amongthe few who had a great influence on the taste of his community, awakeningin the people consciousness of beauty and design. Mansbendel’s art was that of carving in wood. With chisels and gouges of every conceivable shape, he carved in wood anything from inkwells to elaborate decorations which still grace many homes and public buildings in Texas.
Many people do not realize that fine artists are hard workers. Mansbendelwas always at his bench carving or drawing designs for work to be done. Consequently, there are many fine examples of his work that still exist tothis day. “If you don’t do more than you are paid for, you won’t be paid for what you do” stated Peter Mansbendel. He made it the rule of his life. Every stroke of his woodcarver’s tool made good on his words. His words and work ethic constitute a legacy of high value even to this day. It was with this attitude that Peter Mansbendel carved his way into Texas History.