William Draper, known by many as the "dean of American portrait painters," passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2003 at his home in Manhattan.

Draper was a distinguished artist, with a long career in portraiture. Throughout his illustrious career he painted more than 700 portraits, including those of presidents, world leaders, and prominent businessmen and professionals. The portrait of President John F. Kennedy, a childhood friend of Draper, that hangs in the White House, and that of Richard Nixon in the National Portrait Gallery are among his many accomplishments.

Draper was born in 1912 in Hopedale, Massachusetts. His educational pursuits included Harvard University, the National Academy of Design, the Rhode Island School of Design and the Art Student's League in New York City.

Draper did not intend to make a career in the visual arts. His began at Harvard studying to become a concert pianist. However, after problems with constant cramping in his wrists, he switched his focus to painting. As Perry T. Rathbone, Director Emeritus of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts has been quoted, "Nature endowed William F. Draper with enough talents to require him to choose amongst them before embarking on a professional career."

During World War II, Draper was chosen as one of five official Navy combat artists. Despite the often-difficult combat conditions, as well as harsh weather, Draper produced 69 superb scenes that were subsequently published by National Geographic from 1943-1945. These comprehensive paintings not only depicted battles and combat, but also the personal lives of the soldiers. Before completing his term in the Navy, Draper painted the portraits of Admiral Halsey and Admiral Nimitz.

Upon returning from the War, Draper continued to build a successful career in painting, with landscapes, still-lifes and portraiture. He had individual shows at Knoedlers and the Graham Gallery in New York, the Grace Horn Vose and Margaret Brown galleries in Boston, and at the Palm Beach and James Hunt Barker galleries in Florida. His work has also been exhibited in the National Gallery in Washington D.C., the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the National Gallery in London , and the Salon de la Marine in Paris.

Draper's portraits have a distinctive style. He works completely from life, with a series of four-hour sittings, comprised of two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon. To quote Draper from a 2000 article in International Artist, "I never use photos. Paintings from photos lack life, and I can get a better likeness if I can see the sitter's expressions. Besides, copying from a photo is simply boring for me. With the sitter there, I can tell a joke."

William Draper at work in his studio.

As alluded to in the previous quote, it was not just Draper's painting style that was distinctive. He was a funny, and light-hearted man, who enjoyed putting his subjects at ease. One of his favorite, and often-told stories, involves a meeting Draper had with Dr. Charles Mayo. At one point during the meeting, Draper, Dr. Mayo, as well as Draper's son and wife ended up standing on their heads. That is just one of the many crazy things Draper would do to "break the ice."

Draper built a good rapport with his sitters. No matter how important they were, Draper never felt self-conscious or worried about his success. He was always willing to show the sitter the painting throughout the process. While Draper would paint his subjects at their best, he always painted them the way they were. Draper stated in past articles that "if they've got a bad neck, a real turkey gobbler, I'll disguise it through the pose. I may ask that the client hold his stomach in, but I won't trim the weight off."

Flexibility was very important to Draper, and was reflected in his work. He preferred not to completely draw the subject on the canvas. He had often seen students render an immaculate charcoal sketch on the canvas, and were then scared to paint over it. The process used by Draper involved mixing colors and putting spots or various shapes onto the canvas with a paintbrush. As he added the background, he would trim off the edges of the face.

In addition to his teaching career at the Art Student's League in New York City, William Draper was awarded the Portrait Society's first Gold Medal in 1998. His devotion to the art of portraiture throughout his distinguished career set the standard for excellence in the then young Portrait Society's annual competition. In addition to his portraiture career, and teaching engagements, Draper was also a dedicated board member of the Portrait Society.

With the passing of William Draper, the Portrait Society of America lost one of its most talented and dedicated advocates. While our loss is painful, we are glad to have known and worked with such a wonderful and charitable man.

William F. Draper Memorial
By Gordon Wetmore

A memorial service was held December 12, 2003 for founding Advisory Board member, William F. Draper, who died at home in New York October 26, 2003.

Many of the countries leading artists and other distinguished friends were present for the ceremony at the Century Club in New York City, including fellow board members, Daniel E. Greene, Burton Silverman and Everett Raymond Kinstler, who gave a eulogy for his long-time friend.

Portrait Society Secretary/Treasurer Tom Donahue was in attendance, as was Chairman, Gordon Wetmore, who made the following remarks from the perspective of Bill's fellow artists, particularly Society members, who will greatly miss his charm, skill and encouragement:

"William Draper was an elegant and lovable gentleman who never pushed himself forward and yet we artists unanimously considered him to be the Dean of American Portrait Artists.
When the Portrait Society of America was founded, only those among the most revered artists and art experts were invited to serve on the Advisory Board and Bill's name was at the top of the list. He was one of our most valuable assets because he was so supportive and he was always willing to help other artists.

Willian Draper by Everett Raymond Kinstler

Bill Draper was elected without controversy to be the first artist to receive our highest honor, the Portrait Society Gold Medal. I was glad we did so because it enabled us to see something we had never seen before. On the day that Draper received the award at our National conference in Washington, D.C. he demonstrated before 600 artists to show how he painted from life. It was so inspiring, enlightening and entertaining that at the conclusion Bill Draper received a standing ovation, something that, although I have attended many such presentations, was a first as far as I know. Then, that evening, Bill's friend and admirer, gallery owner Beverly McNeil, said, " Gordon, you have to get a piano in there." I'm glad we did because after the award presentation, Bill sat down at the keys, threw his head back, and brought down the house with a combination of classical music and World War II ditties, after which he received another standing ovation…with cheers!

The capstone of our memories of Bill took place during last year's seminar in Philadelphia, at which Bill had hoped to paint another demonstration. When it became apparent that it would not be possible, we had an inspired idea. Bill would be the subject and would sit for his old friend Ray Kinstler before the assembly of gathered artists. Ray had the presence of mind to ask someone to get a mike for Bill, so we heard them both as Kinstler painted a magnificent portrait of his friend. What followed was three hours of anecdotes, jokes and limericks which has been described by many who were there as one of the most memorable events in Portrait Society history.

We all will miss Bill Draper, but we all have benefited greatly for having known him.



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