George Wharton Edwards
1869-1950
George Wharton Edwards was a prominent American Impressionist painter and illustrator, writer and lithographic artist. He was the author of several books of travel and historical subjects.
Edwards was born 1859 in Fair Haven, Connecticut. He was educated at Antwerp and Paris. Edwards first gained serious recognition in his native country during that amazing American phenomenon, the Art Nouveau decade, which reached its highest point of popularity from 1894 to 1896.
The “Century Magazine” produced some of the greatest lithographic Art Nouveau posters during these years. The Century Company commissioned original graphic art from such great masters as Louis John Rhead, Eugene Grassett, Edward Penfield, George Wharton Edwards and others.
Later (from 1898 to 1903) Edwards became the head of the Art Department for Collier’s Magazine and was therefore responsible for many of the fine illustrations of Maxfield Parrish, Remington, Jessie Willcox Smith and others. He also wrote and illustrated many fine books, most dealing with European scenery.
Throughout his illustrious career he received many honors for his murals, paintings, posters and illustrations, including the “Legion d’ Honneur”, in France, and the “Royal Order of the Knight Chevalier”, from the King of Spain.
He painted portraits and murals and moved to Greenwich in 1912. He was a member of the Cos Cob Art Colony. He died in Greenwich, Connecticut, aged 90.
