Artists

Harris Levitt Purdy

American, 1902-1962

He was an American illustrator and painter who covered a wide range of subjects. Purdy was very active throughout his lifetime, traveling widely and filling sketch books with drawings that record  his travel experiences throughout Europe and the United States. He usually worked in a traditional or contemporary style, but continued to make studies from Master painters, ranging from Tiepolo to Renoir.

His own uniquely beautiful portraits have been exhibited in New York galleries alongside Picasso, Matisse and Braque. He also painted plain air landscapes, still lives, and interior. Most of his portraits and figures were done from life. His style of working can range from extremely detailed paintings and drawings to semi abstract oils. His wife and daughter appear as models in many of his pictures. Levitt Purdy was a superb draughtsman and a watercolorist. Years later his vibrant works, rendered in graphite, tempera, watercolor and oils, have stood the test of time. His sensitivity and receptiveness to the world around him make his work timeless.

Written and compiled by Jim Kieley, Woodbury, Conneticut.