Lucas attended Packer Institute, Brooklyn and then went to Europe where he remained for twenty years (1882-1902).
Lucas first visited Belgium and Holland and then settled in Paris where he studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts with Boulanger (1882-86/88) and in the studios of Ernest Hebert, Gustave Courtois and Dagnan Bouveret. He also studied sculpture under A. Ingelbart.
In 1896 his painting "L'Appel", an symbolic and classic treatment of three women in a landscape, was exhibited at the Paris Salon and won a medal. This same work later won a medal at the Pan American Exposition, Buffalo, 190l. At the entrance to the American section of the International Exposition, Paris, 1900 his bust "Sambo" was featured.
Lucas exhibited at Folsom's and Macbeth's in 19l0 and at the Albright Art Galleries, Buffalo in 19ll. In 19l3 he had two exhibitions at the City Club, New York, the first featured landscapes, and the other, landscapes and portraits.
From the Allied Artists he won the medal of honor (1928); the Isador Prize (193l), and the Anonymous Prize (1937). He served as vice president of that organization (193l-36) and president (1937- ).
Lucas worked as both sculptor and painter until 1930 when he turned his attention totally to painting, specifically landscape.
His marble bust of a female "Ecstase" was purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
At the NAD Lucas served as Assistant Secretary (1929-36). In 193l he served as chairman of the jury of selection and on the hanging committee for the l06th Annual at the NAD.
He also served as president of the New York Society of Painters. He was a member of the Societe National des Beaux Arts.
When treating the landscape, Lucas' favorite type was the nocturne. These works are poetically vague and non-specific in an attempt to achieve an elemental view of nature. The form, composition and massing are simplified, and the color is intense and symbolic to appeal to the emotions.
