Ray H. French
Ray H. French | |
---|---|
Born | May 16, 1919 |
Died | April 21, 2000 |
Ray H. French (May 16, 1919 – April 21, 2000) was an American printmaker, painter, sculptor and artistic innovator. He attended the
Early life
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, on May 16, 1919, to parents Edgar and Radie Mae, French demonstrated his artistic abilities from an early age. For a youth with humble beginnings, art was a luxurious, even rebellious, aspiration. As a child, French was first exposed to art by Mabel Mikel Williams who taught both in Vigo County elementary schools and also private students. His interests grew as he was encouraged further at Woodrow Wilson Jr. High School by art teacher Nola E. Williams.[1]
Education
After high school, French attended the
Following World War II, French returned to
Always striving to improve his craft, French continued his education at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy and the Hobart School of Welding Technology in the 1960s.
Career
French was an accomplished artist who excelled in creating engravings, etchings, embossings, graphic constructions, watercolors, pastels, and metal and Plexiglas sculptures.
Throughout this artistic career, French was also Professor of Art at DePauw University 1948-84 where he taught printmaking and art history and was head of the art department 1970-1978. From 1963-64 he and his family lived in Florence, Italy while he attended classes at the Accademia di Belle Arti. He was also Curator of the University Art Collection 1978-1984. In 1980, French opened the Center Street Gallery behind his home near the DePauw campus where he continued his work following his retirement in 1984.
Legacy
French exhibited in national exhibitions since 1944 including 86 one-man exhibitions in the United States and Italy.
His work is in over 500 collections including
Over his lifetime, French also received many grants and honors including over 58 prizes and purchase awards. Specifically, French was awarded an Eli Lily Grant for an extensive tour in Europe in 1961 and received a Ford Foundation Grant in 1969 to develop a new medium in printmaking known as graphic construction.
French and his family were also avid art collectors whose collection now comprises 5 percent of the permanent collection of the
References
- ^ "Swope to open exhibit of French family donations". Terre Haute Tribune-Star.
- ^ "DePauw duplexes named in honor of past legends DePauw University is honoring its past by naming 12 of its student duplexes - two-story units which have been constructed over the past two summers - after significant individuals in the university's 16". Greencastle Banner Graphic.
- "Ray H. French Fine Art Scholarship". Retrieved 2012-10-03.
- Beall, Karen F. (1970). American Prints in the Library of Congress: A Catalog of the Collection. pp. 160.