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for William St. John Harper
1851 - 1910
Known primarily as an illustrator and teacher, William Harper attended the College Grammar School in Brooklyn and received his first art instruction from John B. Whittaker at the Brooklyn Academy of Design. Between 1872 and 1875 he studied under Thomas Le Clear and Lemuel Wilmarth in the National Academy's antique and life classes, winning an honorable mention in life drawing his first year. Harper was among the organizers of the Art Students League, where he worked under William Merritt Chase and Walter Shirlaw at the league. Later, he studied with Léon Bonnat and Mihály Munkácsy in Paris.
In 1879 he became manager of the New York Daily Graphic's art department. His illustrations also appeared in other periodicals, such as Harper's Weekly and Scribner's. In later years he was particularly well known for his images of women and children. He seems to have painted only sporadically; he was not a regular exhibitor at the National Academy. Nevertheless, Harper won the Thomas B. Clarke Prize for Autumn in 1892, no doubt prompting his election as an Associate. He played an active role in the Art Students League, teaching and serving as its president and managing director at various times. After the turn of the century, he also taught at the Cooper Union and the Newark Technical School. He married Mary Palmer in 1886.
JD
In 1879 he became manager of the New York Daily Graphic's art department. His illustrations also appeared in other periodicals, such as Harper's Weekly and Scribner's. In later years he was particularly well known for his images of women and children. He seems to have painted only sporadically; he was not a regular exhibitor at the National Academy. Nevertheless, Harper won the Thomas B. Clarke Prize for Autumn in 1892, no doubt prompting his election as an Associate. He played an active role in the Art Students League, teaching and serving as its president and managing director at various times. After the turn of the century, he also taught at the Cooper Union and the Newark Technical School. He married Mary Palmer in 1886.
JD
