Edward Harrison May, son of a Reformed Dutch clergyman, was brought to the United States around 1834 when his father accepted a pastorate in New York City. During his youth May studied civil engineering but soon abandoned this pursuit in favor of becoming an artist. Little is known of May's early artistic training, but in 1843 he enrolled in the National Academy's antique school. In the following year he began exhibiting his portraits at the Academy's annual exhibitions. Although he initially worked as a portraitist, he soon turned his talents to genre and historical painting. In 1851, after studying under Daniel Huntington (q.v.), he decided to pursue his studies abroad.
Upon arriving in Europe, May made Paris his principle residence and soon entered the atlier of Thomas Couture. From 1855 to 1885 his paintings were regularly exhibited at the Paris Salon and, although he never returned to the United States, his works were frequently included in the exhibitions of both the National and Pennsylvania Academies. He was elected an academician at the National Academy, but because of his residence abroad he failed to qualify for the honor. May continued to work primarily as a genre and historical painter, but commissions for portraits allowed him to travel extensively In Europe. He became a leading figure in the American community residing in Paris and his death was regarded as a great loss and occasioned many funeral honors.
