Francis Chapin Paintings
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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Artist: Francis Chapin
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 Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
A 1930s Oil on Masonite, Still-Life Painting of a Table Top by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A ca. 1935, oil on Masonite, still-life painting featuring a spoon, salt & pepper shakers, bottle, egg and an artichoke by artist Francis Chapin. Painting is in a gray, painted wood...
Category
1930s American Modern Francis Chapin Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Oil
Francis Chapin paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Francis Chapin paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Francis Chapin in oil paint, 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 paintings, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Philip Evergood, Harold Vincent Skene, and Ben-Zion Weinman. Francis Chapin paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,200 and tops out at $12,500, while the average work can sell for $1,800.