From Emperors to Hoi Polloi: Portraits of an Era, 1851–1945

Cartoon, Self-Portrait as Artist, c. 1943 
William Ashby McCloy (American, 1913-2000)
Madison, Wisconsin
Graphite, charcoal, Conté crayon, chalk on paper
Credit: The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, The Wolfsonian–Florida International University, Miami Beach
TD1995.23.1
Photo: Silvia Ros

William Ashby McCloy found studying and imitating the methods of the Old Masters useful tools for investigating his craft. In this self-portrait, McCloy's focused gaze and poised gesture echo the self-portraits of German Renaissance artist, Albrecht Dürer. Even the sure pencil lines emulate the technique of the Renaissance master.

In 1941, McCloy began teaching at the University of Wisconsin, where he soon established an artistic dialogue and friendship with John Steuart Curry, the American regionalist painter who had been named "Artist-in-Residence" at the school. McCloy worked as a mural assistant to Curry.

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