Ernest Untermann, Sr. was born on Nov. 6th 1864 near Berlin, in Brandenburg, Germany. He was a seaman, adventurer, writer, translator. politician, Director of the old Washington Park Zoo in Milwaukee, geologist, fossil hunter and painter. As a young man, he went to sea and sailed around the world in the days of 'Wooden ships and Iron men'. He began painting at sea. He became a US citizen in 1893. He was known as "The Artist of the Uintas" and painted many landscapes of the area of northeastern Utah.
He painted scenes of prehistoric life for Dinosaur National Monument and the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum, where he has a large collection of paintings. Mr. Untermann painted right up until his death on Jan. 5th 1956 and produced over 250 paintings. His life is best summed up in his own words, "No human faculty compares in value with the ability to search for the truth, to recognize it, love it and make every sacrifice for it".