Aaron Shikler
| Aaron Shikler | |
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| Born | March 18, 1922 Brooklyn, New York City |
| Died | November 12, 2015 (aged 93) Manhattan, New York City |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Temple University's Tyler School of Art Hans Hofmann |
| Known for | Portrait Painting |
| Notable work | The John F Kennedy Official Portrait |
| Spouse(s) | Barbara Shikler |
Aaron Abraham Shikler (March 18, 1922 – November 12, 2015) was an American artist noted for portraits of American statesmen and celebrities like Jane Engelhard and Sister Parish.
Early life[edit]
Shikler was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 18, 1922. He studied at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, and at the Hans Hofmann School in New York. He married Barbara Lurie who he met at Tyler, and had children Cathy and Clifford with her. Barbara was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in 1998.
Work[edit]
Jacqueline Kennedy personally selected Shikler in 1970 to provide the posthumous character study of John F. Kennedy, Oil Portrait of John F. Kennedy, which serves as Kennedy's official White House portrait.[1] He also painted the official White House portraits of First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy and Nancy Reagan, as well as portraits of the Kennedy children.[2] and is represented in numerous public collections such as The Brooklyn Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the National Academy of Design.
Awards and honors[edit]
Shikler was elected a centennial fellow of Temple University in 1985, an academician of the National Academy of Design in 1965 and an associate of the National Academy of Design in 1962. Shikler received the Louis Comfort Tiffany Award in 1957 and the Thomas B. Clarke Prize in 1958, 1960, and 1961. In 1976, he received the State Department Traveling Grant, a Certificate of Honor at the Tyler School of Art and the Benjamin Altman Prize from the National Academy of Design.[2]
Death[edit]
Shikler continued to paint in his studio at home until he died of kidney failure on November 12, 2015, surrounded by his friends and family. He was survived by his two children.[3]
Gallery[edit]
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Jackie Kennedy's official White House portrait by Shikler hangs in the Vermeil Room.
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Official Presidential portrait of John F. Kennedy painted by Shikler.
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Nancy Reagan's official White House portrait by Shikler hangs in the Vermeil Room.
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Official Senate portrait of Tom Daschle
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Portrait of Montana Senator Mike Mansfield
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Mother and Daughter featuring Aaron's daughter Cathy and grandchild Isabella
References[edit]
- ^ Andersen, Christopher (2001). The Day John Died. HarperCollins. p. 176. ISBN 978-0-380-81958-4. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ^ a b "Davis and Langdale - Aaron Shikler". Retrieved 2008-08-04.
- ^ http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Aaron-Shikler-artist-who-portrayed-America-s-6639258.php
External links[edit]
- Oil Portrait of John F. Kennedy
- Brief biography at the Davis & Langdale gallery
- Renowned Painter Aaron Shikler Reveals Stories behind Famous White House Portraits
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