Francis Chapin Art
American, 1899-1965
Francis Chapin, affectionately called the “Dean of Chicago Painters” by his colleagues, was one of the city’s most popular and celebrated painters in his day. Born at the dawn of the 20th Century in Bristolville, Ohio, Chapin graduated from Washington & Jefferson College near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before enrolling at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1922. He would set down deep roots at the Art Institute of Chicago, exhibiting there over 31 times between 1926 and 1951. In 1927 Chapin won the prestigious Bryan Lathrop Fellowship from the Art Institute – a prize that funded the artist’s yearlong study trip to Europe. Upon his return to the United States, Chapin decided to remain in Chicago, noting the freedom Chicago artists have in developing independently of the pressure to conform to pre-existing molds (as was experienced by artists in New York, for example). Chapin became a popular instructor at the Art Institute, teaching there from 1929 to 1947 and at the Art Institute’s summer art school in Saugatuck, Michigan (now called Oxbow) between 1934 – 1938 (he was the director of the school from 1941-1945).
A prolific painter, Chapin produced numerous works while traveling in Mexico, France, Spain, Saugatuck and Martha’s Vineyard, where he frequently spent summers and taught at the Old Sculpin Gallery there. Chapin was best recognized for his dynamic and vibrant images of Chicago during the 1930s and 40s. Chapin was a resident of the Old Town neighborhood where he lived and kept his studio on Menomonee Street for many years. Described as a “colorful figure, nearly 6 feet 6 inches tall, and thin, and usually wearing tweeds”, it is easy to imagine Chapin at work observing the busy street life of the city.
In addition to his many exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chapin’s work was shown during his lifetime at such institutions as the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia; the Corcoran Gallery, Washington, D.C.; the National Academy of Design, New York; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York and the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, among others. Francis Chapin’s paintings are represented in the collections the Art Institute of Chicago; the Friedman Collection, Chicago; the Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown; the Denver Art Museum; the Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse; the Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach; the Telfair Museum of Art, Savannah and the Brooklyn Museum of Art, among others.to
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“Seated Girl”
By Francis Chapin
Located in Warren, NJ
Francis Chapin original watercolor “seated girl”. In good condition measures 36x23
Category
20th Century Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Watercolor
A Still-Life Painting of a Ceramic Elephant and a Red Pillow by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
An amusing, ca. 1940, oil on board, still-life painting of a ceramic elephant and a red pillow by Francis Chapin. Painting is in a dark wood frame. Image size: 8 1/2" x 10 1/2". ...
Category
1940s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Oil, Board
A 1930s Drawing of a Woman Seated at a Lunch Counter by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1930s charcoal on paper drawing of a woman seated at a lunch counter by artist Francis Chapin. Artwork size: 10 3/4" x 14". Archivally matted to 20" x 16". Provenance: Estate ...
Category
1930s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Charcoal
A 1950s Pastel and Charcoal Drawing of a Hockey Game by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfect for your hockey enthusiast! A 1950s pastel on paper drawing of a hockey game by Francis Chapin. Image size: 9" x 12". Matted size:
14" x 18". Provenance: Estate of the artist.
Francis Chapin, affectionately called the “Dean of Chicago Painters” by his colleagues, was one of the city’s most popular and celebrated painters in his day. Born at the dawn of the 20th Century in Bristolville, Ohio, Chapin graduated from Washington & Jefferson College near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before enrolling at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1922. He would set down deep roots at the Art Institute of Chicago, exhibiting there over 31 times between 1926 and 1951. In 1927 Chapin won the prestigious Bryan Lathrop Fellowship from the Art Institute – a prize that funded the artist’s yearlong study trip to Europe. Upon his return to the United States, Chapin decided to remain in Chicago, noting the freedom Chicago artists have in developing independently of the pressure to conform to pre-existing molds (as was experienced by artists in New York, for example). Chapin became a popular instructor at the Art Institute, teaching there from 1929 to 1947 and at the Art Institute’s summer art school in Saugatuck, Michigan (now called Oxbow) between 1934 – 1938 (he was the director of the school from 1941-1945). Chapin’s contemporaries among Chicago’s artists included such luminaries as Ivan Le Lorraine Albright...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Charcoal, Pastel
Untitled
By Francis Chapin
Located in Dallas, TX
Francis Chapin was one of the most celebrated painters in Chicago during his lifetime. When he was a young art student, Valley House founder, Donald Vogel, painted with "Chape" on th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
A ca. 1958 Lithograph Titled "Edgartown Harbor" by Artist Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A ca. 1958 lithograph titled "Edgartown Harbor" by notable artist Francis Chapin. Image size: 14 3/4" x 19 3/4". Archivally matted to: 22 1/2" x 26 1/2". Provenance: Estate of t...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Lithograph
Untitled
By Francis Chapin
Located in Dallas, TX
Francis Chapin was one of the most celebrated painters in Chicago during his lifetime. When he was a young art student, Valley House founder, Donald Vogel, painted with "Chape" on th...
Category
1930s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Untitled (Boat Repair)
By Francis Chapin
Located in Dallas, TX
Francis Chapin was one of the most celebrated painters in Chicago during his lifetime. When he was a young art student, Valley House founder, Donald Vogel, painted with "Chape" on th...
Category
1940s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
A 1950s Pastel on Paper Drawing of a Hockey Game by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfect for your hockey enthusiast! A 1950s pastel on paper drawing of a hockey game by Francis Chapin. Image size: 9" x 12". Matted size: 14" x 18". Provenance: Estate of the artist.
Francis Chapin, affectionately called the “Dean of Chicago Painters” by his colleagues, was one of the city’s most popular and celebrated painters in his day. Born at the dawn of the 20th Century in Bristolville, Ohio, Chapin graduated from Washington & Jefferson College near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before enrolling at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1922. He would set down deep roots at the Art Institute of Chicago, exhibiting there over 31 times between 1926 and 1951. In 1927 Chapin won the prestigious Bryan Lathrop Fellowship from the Art Institute – a prize that funded the artist’s yearlong study trip to Europe. Upon his return to the United States, Chapin decided to remain in Chicago, noting the freedom Chicago artists have in developing independently of the pressure to conform to pre-existing molds (as was experienced by artists in New York, for example). Chapin became a popular instructor at the Art Institute, teaching there from 1929 to 1947 and at the Art Institute’s summer art school in Saugatuck, Michigan (now called Oxbow) between 1934 – 1938 (he was the director of the school from 1941-1945). Chapin’s contemporaries among Chicago’s artists included such luminaries as Ivan Le Lorraine Albright...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Pastel
A Lovely ca. 1930s Watercolor of Summer Nocturne Moonrise by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A lovely 1930s watercolor on paper of a summer nocturne moonrise by artist Francis Chapin. Artwork size: 11" x 14". Archivally 8-ply matted to to 14” x 18”. Estate stamped on rev...
Category
1930s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
A ca. 1928 Drawing of a Dapper Man with a Pint Glass by Artist Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A ca. 1928 charcoal on paper drawing of a dapper man with a pint glass by artist Francis Chapin.
Image size: 12" x 9". Matted size: 14" x 18". Provenance: Estate of the artist.
Francis Chapin, affectionately called the “Dean of Chicago Painters” by his colleagues, was one of the city’s most popular and celebrated painters in his day. Born at the dawn of the 20th Century in Bristolville, Ohio, Chapin graduated from Washington & Jefferson College near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before enrolling at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1922. He would set down deep roots at the Art Institute of Chicago, exhibiting there over 31 times between 1926 and 1951. In 1927 Chapin won the prestigious Bryan Lathrop Fellowship from the Art Institute – a prize that funded the artist’s yearlong study trip to Europe. Upon his return to the United States, Chapin decided to remain in Chicago, noting the freedom Chicago artists have in developing independently of the pressure to conform to pre-existing molds (as was experienced by artists in New York, for example). Chapin became a popular instructor at the Art Institute, teaching there from 1929 to 1947 and at the Art Institute’s summer art school in Saugatuck, Michigan (now called Oxbow) between 1934 – 1938 (he was the director of the school from 1941-1945). Chapin’s contemporaries among Chicago’s artists included such luminaries as Ivan Le Lorraine Albright...
Category
1920s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Charcoal
A 1950s Painting of a Truck in a Martha's Vineyard Dockyard by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful 1950s oil on Masonite painting of a truck in a Martha's Vineyard dockyard by notable artist Francis Chapin in a grey, painted wood frame. Estate stamped on reverse. Art...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A Colorful 1950s Painting of a Bull Fight by Artist Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A colorful, 1950s oil on canvas painting of a bull fight by artist Francis Chapin in a brown frame. Estate stamped on reverse. Artwork size: 18" x 24". Framed size: 18 1/2" x 24...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
A 1964 Lithograph Titled "Afternoon Race, Edgartown" by Artist Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1964 lithograph titled "Afternoon Race, Edgartown" by notable Chicago artist Francis Chapin. Image size: 14 1/2" x 19 3/4". Archivally matted to 22 1/2" x 28". Provenance: Est...
Category
1960s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Lithograph
A ca. 1958 Lithograph Titled "Edgartown Harbor" by Artist Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A ca. 1958 lithograph with applied pastel titled "Edgartown Harbor" by notable Chicago artist Francis Chapin. Image size: 14 3/4" x 19 3/4. Archivally matted to: 20" x 25 1/2". ...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Pastel, Lithograph
A ca. 1958 Lithograph in Colors Titled "Edgartown Yacht Club" by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A ca. 1958 lithograph in colors titled "Edgartown Yacht Club" by notable Chicago artist Francis Chapin. Image size: 13 1/2" x 20 1/4". Archivally matted to: 19 1/2" x 26". Prove...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Color, Lithograph
A Vibrant, Mid-Century Modern Portrait of a Young Woman in a Yellow Blouse
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Vibrant, Mid-Century Modern Portrait of a Young Woman in a Yellow Blouse by Notable Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Oil on Masonite, dating circa 1945. Artwork Si...
Category
1940s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A ca. 1954, drawing of a Notre Dame Football Game by Artist Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A ca. 1954 pastel & charcoal on paper drawing of a Notre Dame football game by artist Francis Chapin. Artwork size: 12" x 19". Archivally matted ...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Charcoal, Pastel
Francis Chapin art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Francis Chapin art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Francis Chapin in paint, oil paint, masonite and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Francis Chapin art, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Frank Wilcox, Alfred Bendiner, and Harold Haydon. Francis Chapin art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $850 and tops out at $12,500, while the average work can sell for $1,800.