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for Charles Parsons
1821 - 1910
Charles Parsons was brought to the United States at age nine. As a teenager, he became an apprentice at the lithography establishment of George Endicott & Co. in New York. He worked there until 1861 (the year before his election as an Academy Associate), ultimately becoming a partner. During the 1830s and 40s, he studied at night at the Graham Art School and in the Antique School of the National Academy (1838-41, 1845-6, 1848-9). As of 1851, he began showing seascapes in Academy exhibitions.
After leaving Endicott & Co., he became the head of the art department at Harper's, a job he retained until his retirement in 1889. Over the years he became an institution at Harper's, working with many young illustrators such as Edwin A. Abbey and John W. Alexander. Following his retirement, he painted marines in oils and watercolor at his residences in Connecticut and New Jersey. Parsons probably made a trip to Europe at this time. During the last years of his life, he suffered from illness and loss of memory.
After leaving Endicott & Co., he became the head of the art department at Harper's, a job he retained until his retirement in 1889. Over the years he became an institution at Harper's, working with many young illustrators such as Edwin A. Abbey and John W. Alexander. Following his retirement, he painted marines in oils and watercolor at his residences in Connecticut and New Jersey. Parsons probably made a trip to Europe at this time. During the last years of his life, he suffered from illness and loss of memory.
