Biography

Gifford Beal was plugged in to the New York art world from an early age. As a teenager, he began studies at the Shinnecock School of Art with William Merritt Chase. His oldest brother Reynolds became a successful painter. Gifford introduced his niece, also a painter, to her future husband, the collector Duncan Phillips, founder of the Phillips Collection in Washington. After attending Princeton University, Beal studied at the Art Students League of New York with H.W. Ranger, George Brandt Bridgman and Frank Vincent DuMond from 1901 to 1903. In the years 1913-1919 he spent his summers in Newburgh, NY. In the 1920s he summered in New England. And he traveled worldwide from time to time. Over the years he was recognized with prizes in many competitions. He was President of the Art Students League for over a decade. His work was exhibited for years, and he played significant roles with the National Institute of Arts and Letters, the American Watercolor Society and the Century Association. A digitized archive of his correspondence, writing and artwork is held at the Smithsonian Institution.

Critical Analysis

Like many artists of his era, in his early career Beal was strongly influenced by the French Impressionists. His later work showed more emphasis on line and form. And in the 1930s he adopted a more simplified style to portray regionalist themes. He began to explore different media and to emphasize abstraction to a greater degree, producing works that were bolder and brighter than his earliest efforts.

Murals

• Washington, District of Columbia - Department of Interior: National Park Service: North Country
• Washington, District of Columbia - Department of Interior: National Park Service: Tropical Country
• Crestline, Ohio - Post Office: The Crossroads
• Allentown, Pennsylvania - Post Office: Cement Industry
• Allentown, Pennsylvania - Post Office: Departure of the Jordan Rifles
• Allentown, Pennsylvania - Post Office: Iron Industry in Lehigh Valley
• Allentown, Pennsylvania - Post Office: Kimmett's Lock
• Allentown, Pennsylvania - Post Office: Lehigh County Barn Signs
• Allentown, Pennsylvania - Post Office: Liberty Bell
• Allentown, Pennsylvania - Post Office: Pennsylvania-German Riflemen
• Allentown, Pennsylvania - Post Office: The Walking Purchase
• Allentown, Pennsylvania - Post Office: Transportation
• Allentown, Pennsylvania - Post Office: Trout Hall

References

1. Beal, Gifford, 1879-1956 (Social Networks and Archival Content).
2. The Fisherman (Brooklyn Museum).
3. Gifford Beal (Wikipedia).
4. Gifford Beal (The Redfern Gallery).
5. Gifford Beal (Smithsonian American Art Museum).
6. Gifford Beal (1879-1956) (american art @ The Phillips Collection).
7. Linea Staff, A Gifford Beal Painting Rediscovered, Linea February 9 (2017).
8. Gifford Beal sketches, sketchbooks and papers, 1889-2001, bulk 1900-1954 (Archives of American Art).