Charles Demuth | |
|---|---|
 Self-Portrait, 1907 | |
| Born | November 8, 1883 Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | October 23, 1935 (aged 51) Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | Lancaster Cemetery, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1] |
| Known for | Watercolor, Painting |
| Movement | Precisionism |
Charles Henry Buckius Demuth (November 8, 1883 – October 23, 1935) was an American painter who specialized in watercolors and turned to oils late in his career, developing a style of painting known as Precisionism.
"Search the history of American art," wrote Ken Johnson in The New York Times, "and you will discover few watercolors more beautiful than those of Charles Demuth. Combining exacting botanical observation and loosely Cubist abstraction, his watercolors of flowers, fruit and vegetables have a magical liveliness and an almost shocking sensuousness."[2]
Demuth was a lifelong resident of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The home he shared with his mother is now the Demuth Museum,[3] which showcases his work. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall Academy before studying at Drexel University and at Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. While he was a student at PAFA, he participated in a show at the academy, and also met William Carlos Williams at his boarding house. The two were fast friends and remained close for the rest of their lives.
He later studied at Académie Colarossi and Académie Julian in Paris, where he became a part of the avant garde art scene. The Parisian artistic community was accepting of Demuth's homosexuality. After his return to America, Demuth retained aspects of Cubism in many of his works.[4]
- ^ lancasteronline.com/...charles/article_59a09ca2-83e3-11e5-bdc2-7f46f68fcc1c.html
- ^ Johnson, Ken (February 27, 2008). "A Watercolorist Who Turned His Hand to Oils of Heroic Vision". The New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
- ^ Robinson, Ryan (July 30, 2001). "Demote group honors couple for restoration of artist's fame, home: Gerald and Margaret Lestz were presented with a bronze plaque for their work with the Demuth Foundation Sunday". No. B 1–2. Lancaster PA New Era.
- ^ Herberholz, Barbara (March 2002). "The home and studio of Charles Demuth". Arts & Activities. 131 (2): 48–50.