Mead Schaeffer Original Vintage American Realist Illustrator Vermont Aspen Tree Autumn Landscape Oil Painting
Original vintage landscape oil painting on canvas, of Aspen trees, by American illustrator, Mead Schaeffer (1898-1980).
Mead Schaeffer was born in Freedom Plains, New York in 1898. He grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts. After completing high school, he enrolled in the Pratt Institute in 1916. At Pratt, his teachers included Harvey Dunn and Charles Chapman. Dunn critiqued many of Schaeffer's early projects. While a student at Pratt, Schaeffer illustrated the first of seven 'Golden Boy' books written by L.P. Wyman.
In 1922, at age 24, he was hired to illustrate a series of classic novels for publisher Dodd Mead. His work for Dodd Mead continued until 1930. The books he illustrated during this period included Moby-Dick, Typee, and Omoo by Herman Melville; The Count of Monte Cristo; and Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.
In 1930, Schaeffer turned his attention from fictional characters to real people depicted in real settings. During the 1930s and 1940s, he received commissions from magazines including Good Housekeeping, McCall's, the Saturday Evening Post, The Ladies Home Journal, Country Gentleman, and Cosmopolitan. He produced 46 covers for the weekly Saturday Evening Post. His work as a war correspondent for the Post during World War II resulted in a well-known series of covers illustrating American military personnel.
He lived for a time in New Rochelle, New York, but for most of his career, he lived in Arlington, Vermont, where his studio was in a barn. Norman Rockwell was a good friend, and Schaeffer and his family often posed as models for Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post illustrations and paintings.
In retirement, Schaeffer lived in Vermont, where Rockwell was a neighbor until he passed away on November 6, 1980.
Mead Schaeffer (1898-1980)
American Illustrator, Realism
Vermont Landscape, Aspen Trees
Oil on Canvas
Estimated at approximately 1955, or earlier
The painting's measurements alone are approximately 24" X 30", plus the frame
In frame, the painting measures approximately 32" X 38"
The painting is still housed in the original vintage frame
The painting is in very good original condition. There have been no overpaints or restorations performed. There is some light separating in the paint, giving a veining effect, that is not at the stage of crackle, as shown. This is isolated mainly to the far mid left, and upper left areas. Please review the images.
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