{{No footnotes, date=January 2022 The Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art is an association of representational artists, founded in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

in 1895. Palette & Chisel is the second oldest artist organization in the United States.

Founding

As the ''Inland Printer'' reported in June 1896:

An association of artists and craftsmen for the purpose of work and study—such is the Palette and Chisel Club of Chicago. The organization is unique in that its members are all wage-workers and busy during the week with pencil, brush or chisel, doing work to please other people. But on Sunday mornings, at 9 o'clock, they assemble in the studio of
Lorado Taft Lorado Zadok Taft (April 29, 1860, in Elmwood, Illinois – October 30, 1936, in Chicago) was an American sculptor, writer and educator. His 1903 book, ''The History of American Sculpture,'' was the first survey of the subject and stood for decad ...
, in the Athenaeum Building, and for five hours each amuses himself by working in his chosen medium, to suit himself. Two-thirds of the members are students in the "life class" at the
Art Institute of Chicago The Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago's Grant Park, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. Recognized for its curatorial efforts and popularity among visitors, the museum hosts approximately 1.5 mill ...
night school, and a desire for opportunity to study from the model in daylight, so that color might be used, led to the organization of the club. The following is a list of the club's membership: Charles J. Mulligan (later head of the sculpture department at the Art Institute), David Hunter and W. J. Hutchinson, sculptors; Ray Brown, chief of the Times-Herald art department, and F. Holme, of the Evening-Post; Henry Hutt, illustrator and designer for J. Manz & Co.; Carl Mauch, of the Werner Company's art staff; Will Carqueville, poster designer and lithographer; Curtis Gandy, Capel Rowley, Richard Boehm, Edward Loewenheim and C.C. Senf, designers and illustrators; L. Pearson, F.J. Thwing and H.L. Bredtschneider, fresco painters and decorators; Fred Mulhaupt, display advertiser; Ancel Cook, scenic artist; A. Sterba and W.H. Irvine, portrait artists; Arthur Carr, H. Wagner, L.M. Coakley and J.S. Shippen, art students. Fred Larson is a "proofer", and the printer's trade is represented by W.A. Randall.

Early years

The founding members were principally evening students at the

Art Institute of Chicago The Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago's Grant Park, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. Recognized for its curatorial efforts and popularity among visitors, the museum hosts approximately 1.5 mill ...

. Charles J. Mulligan, an assistant to sculptor

Lorado Taft Lorado Zadok Taft (April 29, 1860, in Elmwood, Illinois – October 30, 1936, in Chicago) was an American sculptor, writer and educator. His 1903 book, ''The History of American Sculpture,'' was the first survey of the subject and stood for decad ...

, was able to persuade Taft to rent the organization part of his seventh floor studio on Van Buren Street in Chicago. Early supporters of the organization included: Charlie Russell and

George Bellows George Wesley Bellows (August 12 or August 19, 1882 – January 8, 1925) was an American realism, American realist painting, painter, known for his bold depictions of urban life in New York City. He became, according to the Columbus Museum of Art ...

. The Palette & Chisel served as the artistic home of

James Topping James “Jimmy” Topping (born 18 December 1974) is an Irish rugby former player and current coach. As a player, he won eight caps for the Ireland national rugby union team between 1996 and 2003, playing on the wing. Topping was born in Belfast ...

Walter Ufer, and

Eugene Savage Eugene Francis Savage (March 29, 1883 – October 19, 1978) was an American painter and sculptor known for his murals in the manner made official under the Works Projects Administration. He also is known for his work on the Bailey Fountain i ...

. In 1921, with the help of founding member, Fred Larson, who mortgaged his home for this purpose, the club purchased the mansion at 1012 N. Dearborn Street where it still resides. In 1933, the organization changed its name to the "Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art", as it became an educational, not-for-profit institution. Early members of note included: *Carl Brandner (1898-1961) *

Benjamin Blessum Benjamin Blessum (November 4, 1877 – October 4, 1954) was an American painter, graphic artist and illustrator. He was primarily known for his Norwegian landscapes. Background Ben Blessum was born in Marstein, Romsdalen, Norway. He was the son ...

(1877- 1954) *Walter Marshall Clute (1870-1915) * John Carl Doemling (1894-1955) *Frank Dudley (1868-1957) *J. Jeffrey Grant (1883-1960) *Oskar Gross (1871-1963) * Victor Higgins (1884-1949) *Frank Holme (?-1904) *

Wilson Irvine Wilson Henry Irvine (28 February 1869 – 1936) was a master American Impressionist landscape painter. Although most closely associated with the Old Lyme, Connecticut art colony headed by Florence Griswold, Irvine spent his early career near Ch ...

(1869-1936) * Thomas A. O'Shaughnessy (1870-1956) *

Karl Ouren Karl Ouren (February 5, 1882 – January 3, 1943) was an American artist best known for his paintings of Norwegian landscapes and scenes, particularly those featuring winter and snow. Background Karl Peter Andreas Ouren was born in Halden, i ...

(1882-1943) *

Edgar Alwin Payne Edgar Alwin Payne (1 March 1883 – 8 April 1947) was an American painter. He was known as a Western landscape painter and muralist. Early life Payne was born near Cassville, Barry County, Missouri, in the heart of the Ozarks.. Cassville is in so ...

(1883–1947) *Emory Seidel (1881- ) *Joseph Tomanek (1889-1974) * Walter Ufer (1876-1936) * Nicola Veronica (1905-1979)

Recent years

Recent members of note have included: Fred Berger (1931-2006), Charles Vickery (1913-1998), and

Richard Schmid Richard Schmid (October 5, 1934—April 18, 2021) was an American realist artist. Early career Richard Schmid's maternal grandfather, Julian Oates, was an architectural sculptor. Richard's initial studies in landscape painting, figure drawing, ...

. Currently the academy offers over 30 hours of live model workshops per week, and several classes in traditional oil painting, watercolor, figure sculpture, figure drawing, and anatomy.

External links

Official WebsiteThis Old Palette blog sitePalette and Chisel Club records
at The Newberry Artist groups and collectives based in Chicago Arts organizations established in 1895 1895 establishments in Illinois

Founding

Early years

Recent years

See also

External links