Walter Shirlaw
Encyclopedia
Walter Shirlaw was a Scottish-American artist.
with his parents in 1840. He worked as a bank-note engraver, and his work was first exhibited at the National Academy
in 1861.
He was elected an academician of the Chicago Academy of Design in 1868. Among his pupils there was Frederick Stuart Church
. From 1870 to 1877 he studied in Munich
, under J. L. Raab, Alexander von Wagner
, Arthur George von Ramberg, and Wilhelm Lindenschmidt.
His first work of importance was the Toning of the Bell (1874), which was followed by Sheep-shearing in the Bavarian Highlands (1876). The latter, which is probably the best of his works, received honorable mention at the Paris
exposition in 1878.
Other notable works from his easel are Good Morning (1878), in the Buffalo Academy; Indian Girl and Very Old (1880); Gossip (1884); and Jealousy (1886), owned by the Academy of Design, New York.
His largest work is the frieze for the dining-room in the house of Darius O. Mills in New York
. Shirlaw has also earned an excellent reputation as an illustrator. He was one of the founders of the Society of American Artists
, and was its first president.
On his return from Europe
he took charge of the Art Students League of New York
, and for several years taught in the composition class. He became an associate of the National Academy
in 1887, and an academician the following year.
He died on December 30, 1909.
Biography
Shirlaw was born in Paisley, Scotland, and moved to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with his parents in 1840. He worked as a bank-note engraver, and his work was first exhibited at the National Academy
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
in 1861.
He was elected an academician of the Chicago Academy of Design in 1868. Among his pupils there was Frederick Stuart Church
Frederick Stuart Church
Frederick Stuart Church was an American artist, working mainly as an illustrator and especially known for his depiction of animals.-Biography:...
. From 1870 to 1877 he studied in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, under J. L. Raab, Alexander von Wagner
Alexander von Wagner
Alexander originally Sándor von Wagner was a Hungarian painter.- Biography :Wagner was born in Pesth. After graduating from the Real-Gymnasium in his hometown at the age of nineteen, he entered the Academy of Fine Arts at Vienna, where he was a student of Henrik Weber...
, Arthur George von Ramberg, and Wilhelm Lindenschmidt.
His first work of importance was the Toning of the Bell (1874), which was followed by Sheep-shearing in the Bavarian Highlands (1876). The latter, which is probably the best of his works, received honorable mention at the Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
exposition in 1878.
Other notable works from his easel are Good Morning (1878), in the Buffalo Academy; Indian Girl and Very Old (1880); Gossip (1884); and Jealousy (1886), owned by the Academy of Design, New York.
His largest work is the frieze for the dining-room in the house of Darius O. Mills in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Shirlaw has also earned an excellent reputation as an illustrator. He was one of the founders of the Society of American Artists
Society of American Artists
The Society of American Artists was an American artists group. It was formed in 1877 by artists who felt the National Academy of Design did not adequately meet their needs, and was too conservative....
, and was its first president.
On his return from Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
he took charge of the Art Students League of New York
Art Students League of New York
The Art Students League of New York is an art school located on West 57th Street in New York City. The League has historically been known for its broad appeal to both amateurs and professional artists, and has maintained for over 130 years a tradition of offering reasonably priced classes on a...
, and for several years taught in the composition class. He became an associate of the National Academy
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
in 1887, and an academician the following year.
He died on December 30, 1909.