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Howard Chandler Christy Self-Portrait

Howard Chandler Christy Self-Portrait
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
Howard Chandler Christy, 10 Jan. 1872 - 3 Mar. 1952
Sitter
Howard Chandler Christy, 10 Jan. 1872 - 3 Mar. 1952
Date
c. 1930
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
127cm x 101.6cm (50" x 40"), Accurate
Topic
Equipment\Smoking Implements\Pipe
Interior\Studio\Art
Art implements\Palette
Art implements\Paintbrush
Art implements\Canvas
Self-portrait
Howard Chandler Christy: Visual Arts\Artist
Howard Chandler Christy: Male
Howard Chandler Christy: Visual Arts\Artist\Painter
Howard Chandler Christy: Visual Arts\Artist\Illustrator
Howard Chandler Christy: Visual Arts\Artist\Painter\Muralist
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Henry Ostrow
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Object number
NPG.78.269
Exhibition Label
Born in Morgan County, Ohio
During the first half of the twentieth century, artist Howard Chandler Christy was known for depicting war heroes. In the early 1890s, he studied at the Art Students League in New York City and with the renowned Impressionist William Merritt Chase at the West Tenth Street Studio. Christy first made a name for himself when he won prizes from the National Academy of Design in 1893 for draftsmanship.
During the War of 1898 (Spanish-American War), Christy accompanied the Rough Riders to Cuba.
His illustrations of battle scenes for magazines such as Scribner’s, Harper’s, Century, and Leslie’s Weekly established him as a sought-after illustrator. While working for Scribner’s magazine, he created the “Christy Girl,” an archetype of the American woman. He would continue to draw iterations of this character during WWI for posters such as Gee! I Wish I Were a Man (1917). This self-portrait demonstrates Christy’s signature loose style.
Nacido en Morgan County, Ohio
Durante la primera mitad del siglo XX, el artista Howard Chandler Christy se distinguió por sus retratos de héroes de guerra. En la década de 1890 estudió en la Liga de Estudiantes de Arte de Nueva York y con el famoso impresionista William Merritt Chase en su estudio de la Calle 10 Oeste. Comenzó a darse a conocer en 1893 al ser premiado como dibujante por la Academia Nacional de Diseño.
Durante la Guerra de 1898 (Guerra HispanoEstadounidense), Christy acompañó a Cuba al regimiento de los Rough Riders. Con sus escenas de batallas para revistas como Scribner’s, Harper’s, Century y Leslie’s Weekly pasó a ser un cotizado ilustrador. Cuando trabajaba para Scribner’s creó la “chica Christy”, un arquetipo de la mujer estadounidense. Durante la 1a Guerra Mundial dibujó versiones de este personaje para carteles tales como ¡Caramba! Desearía ser hombre (1917). Este autorretrato demuestra el estilo libre que lo caracterizaba.
Provenance
Mrs. Christy, wife of the artist; purchased 1950 by Henry Ostrow, Long Island and Florida; gift 1978 to NPG
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
20th Century Americans: 1930-1960
On View
NPG, South Gallery 321