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Francis Chapin
Untitled

circa 1940

About the Item

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 the street corners in Chicago. In 1997, Valley House Gallery presented a solo exhibition of watercolors selected from the artist's estate. Francis Chapin had an active exhibition history with over 24 major museum and gallery exhibitions including two at the Art Institute of Chicago (1928 and 1952) and one at the Museum of Modern Art (1942). He participated in over 160 group exhibitions and won over 20 important awards and prizes. His work has been acquired by institutions including the Art Institute of Chicago, Brooklyn Museum, Library of Congress, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Known primarily as a colorist, Chapin's exuberance, explosive brushwork and imposing 6'6" height masked a gentle, even-tempered man, loved and greatly admired by his students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where he taught for over 20 years. As a plein-air painter, Chapin recorded the essential elements of a location, with a strong, fauve-like iconography. He traveled extensively, always looking for subjects that demanded his attention. The dimensions including the mat are 22 x 28 inches. Stamped "Francis Chapin" at lower right.
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