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Paul Travis Paintings: The 1 Most Famous, Through a Gallery's Eye
Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 1 works by Paul Travis in our catalogue
In short
To the gallery's eye, Paul Travis's most famous painting is My First View of the Congo Forest (1930), whose original hangs in the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland. Of the 1 works by Paul Travis in our catalog, the gallery presents the 1 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.
1891 – 1975, Wellsville
Most works: Cleveland Museum of Art
The gallery's top 10 Paul Travis paintings
The museums that keep Paul Travis's originals
The museum that holds the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Paul Travis | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Cleveland Museum of Art |
Cleveland | 1 | My First View of the Congo Forest |
Paul Travis, the signature paintings of each year
Every dated original by Paul Travis on this page was made in 1930: here they are, the most famous first.
Works per year
Pick a year to see its originals.
Paul Travis's paintings: the gallery answers
Which Paul Travis painting is the most famous of all?Reveal the answer
My First View of the Congo Forest (1930).
How old was Paul Travis on completing My First View of the Congo Forest?Reveal the answer
39 years old: My First View of the Congo Forest dates from 1930, and Paul Travis was born in 1891.
How many works did Paul Travis create?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 1 works by Paul Travis.
Where do Paul Travis's most famous originals hang?Reveal the answer
Mostly in Cleveland Museum of Art (Cleveland). The museum table above lists them all.
Paul Travis: the artist
The Life and Journey of Paul Travis
Born in Wellsville, United States, Paul Travis was a painter and a member of the Cleveland School. After studying at the Cleveland School of Art, where he was a protégé of Henry Keller, he served in the Army during World War I. While stationed in France, his artistic abilities led to a transfer to survey work, allowing him to travel widely, paint, and sketch. Upon his return, he dedicated thirty-eight years to teaching at the Cleveland School of Art and became a frequent participant in the May Show exhibitions sponsored by the Cleveland Museum of Art.
In 1928, Travis embarked on an eight-month sabbatical to Africa, traveling a route similar to Henry Morton Stanley from Cape Town, South Africa, to Cairo, Egypt. During this expedition, he sketched, took photographs, and collected artifacts. His experiences and the items he gathered, including works from the Mangbetu people, were preserved in various collections, including the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Notable Works and Legacy
Travis's artistic output is recognized for its historical significance within the city of Cleveland. His documented works include:
His legacy is preserved through his artwork, artifacts, and personal records, such as diary entries and film footage, which are held in the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art.