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for William Henry Drake
American, 1856 - 1926
Although he was born in New York, William H. Drake received his first art training at the McMicken School of Design in Cincinnati. He sketched frequently in that city's zoological gardens, training for his future speciality as a painter of lions and tigers. Drake also studied at the Art Students League and, during the late 1880s, at the Académie Julian in Paris.
He often worked as an illustrator, with his drawings appearing in the Century, Harper's, and the Boston Art Review. His first success, however, was a suite of illustrations for Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. In 1920, Drake moved to California, where he had spent time previously. He died in Los Angeles in 1926. Although he was not known as a still life painter, his NAD obituary mentioned his passion for collecting copper and brass pots and pans.
He often worked as an illustrator, with his drawings appearing in the Century, Harper's, and the Boston Art Review. His first success, however, was a suite of illustrations for Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. In 1920, Drake moved to California, where he had spent time previously. He died in Los Angeles in 1926. Although he was not known as a still life painter, his NAD obituary mentioned his passion for collecting copper and brass pots and pans.
