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James H. Cromartie

April 11, 2024

James H. Cromartie is an American artist credited with the birth of Hard-Edge Realism,[1] a style by turns both redolent of and a departure from the Magic realism pioneered by Andrew Wyeth.[2] The list of celebrities and wealthy patrons reported to be among his collectors is extensive and examples of Cromartie's work may be found in 125 countries across the globe.[3] Domestically, Cromartie has been called, "one of America's leading historical artists," for his commissioned portraits of the White House, Smithsonian Institution, U.S Capitol and Supreme Court, among others.[4] In 2005, James H. Cromartie's historical portrait of the White House was featured in the widely distributed art history textbook, ArtTalk, a distinction granted to a mere 25 living artists globally.[5] Cromartie has resided year-round on Nantucket, Massachusetts for over 35 years, proudly quipping, "there are Nantucket artists, but then again there are…artists who have chosen to live on Nantucket. There's a b-i-g difference."[6]

James H. Cromartie
Born
James H. Cromartie

(1944-05-03) May 3, 1944 (age 79)
North Carolina, US
NationalityAmerican
EducationEast Carolina University
Known forPainting
MovementHard-Edge Realism
Websitecromartiegallery.com/index.php

Early life edit

James H. Cromartie was born into one of North Carolina’s oldest and most prominent families, initially possessing over one-tenth of the state's entire territory.[7] Despite the ease with which he could have obtained a career in civil service given his family’s numerous political connections, a young Jim found himself inexorably drawn to the world of fine art, relishing, in particular, the renowned realist artists, Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper.[8] Cromartie remembers, “They had a small bookstore in the museum…as a young third and fourth grade child I would steal those little books from the Mint Museum. Well I didn't actually steal them all, I would buy one and take three, but I guess that's the same thing."[9] Inspired by these canonical works, but only able to view the bookstore's reproductions, Jim would later inadvertently pioneer a style that would be uniquely his own, Hard-Edge Realism. First, however, an important patron was fated to enter the life of the young artist, James H. Cromartie.[10]

Rockefeller Patronage edit

Late in the summer of 1969, Nelson and Happy Rockefeller paid a visit to James H. Cromartie's gallery on Nantucket. They bought two paintings that day for 600 dollars apiece.[11] Jim remembers, “word spread across Old South Wharf and, then, across the entire town like a wildfire. ‘The Rockefellers only bought two paintings while they were on the island and they both were Jim Cromartie’s.’” [12]

The following summer Nelson Rockefeller returned to Cromartie’s gallery with longtime friend and college chum, Roger Firestone. They proceeded to buy every Cromartie in the gallery and would later promise their continued patronage indefinitely until James H. Cromartie fully realized what would soon become his signature note, Hard-Edge Realism.[13] Cromartie recalls, “it was like somebody put me on a rocket and my work just took off.” [14]

The birth of Hard-Edge Realism edit

Early in his career, James H. Cromartie reports to have often surveyed the printed works of Andrew Wyeth for hours on end attempting to decode a technique so seamless it did not even bear the stroke of a brush.[15] It would be years before Cromartie, confident that he had finally mastered Wyeth's technique, actually stood in front of an original Wyeth only to find the canvas, so immaculately rendered in his books, covered in brush strokes.[16] Thus, in simply attempting to emulate Andrew Wyeth, James H. Cromartie inadvertently spawned Hard-Edge Realism, “launching him on a journey that would take him around the world and into the company of many of society’s elite.” [17] James H. Cromartie, himself, while accepting the popular use of the term, Hard-Edge Realism, believes his style to be more correctly stated as “surrealistic impressionism.” [18] Cromartie, describes his work in Nantucket Portrait: Fun & Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard-Edge Realism thus, 

 “if you compare a photograph with my paintings you would see a great difference. My lighting is better than real life. My composition is better than real life. I add things to the painting that might not actually be there if you took a photograph. Sometimes I leave things out that are there. My paintings have emotion and feeling in them that cannot be captured on film."[19]

Work as a Historical Artist edit

James H. Cromartie's body of work includes commissioned historical portraits of the Smithsonian, Capitol, White House, and U.S. Supreme Court.[20] The first of these commissions came in 1985 by personal request from the Smithsonian curator’s daughter, Sharon Boyd, to paint its iconic original building, The Castle.[21] Prints of James H. Cromartie’s portrait of The Castle are today presented as gifts to visiting foreign dignitaries.[22] Following the success of the Smithsonian portrait, Cromartie received a second commission to paint the U.S. Capitol from its eponymous Historical Society.[23] At the unveiling, Senator Sam Nunn chided Cromartie for leaving out the flag over the domed Capitol; in response, Cromartie quickly proceeded to paint the flag right where Nunn stood.[24] Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich personally thanked Cromartie for the portrait in a letter calling it, "an exceptional and truly beautiful work of art."[25] Perhaps the most personal of all James H. Cromartie's historical commissions was that which he received to paint the official portrait of the White House, as Cromartie's fourth great-grandfather, James Hoban, designed it.[26] The portrait was personally received by President Ronald Reagan and would later be chosen, along with Cromartie's portrait of the Capitol, by the U.S. State Department to feature prominently in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.[27] James H. Cromartie's latest commissioned historical portrait of the U.S. Supreme Court rounded out his career as "one of America's leading historical artists,"[28] and is thus affectionately referred to by him as the “third jewel.” [29]

Reception edit

James H. Cromartie's oeuvre has enjoyed a warm reception both critically and commercially. Kirk M. Crist of the Naples Daily News recognized Cromartie early on as being, "truly on the threshold of one of the most brilliant art careers this country has ever known."[30] Paul Chelko, former art critic for the Atlanta Journal, effusively praised Cromartie's work, writing, "brilliance cannot be defined, nor genius denied, it is all here…what Grant Wood, Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth, and many others have done, artistic evolution it seems, has granted us something more."[31] James H. Cromartie has amassed a number of celebrity collectors to date including Tom Brokaw, Roger Firestone, Princess Diana, Steve Forbes, Nelson Rockefeller, and Robert Duvall.[32]

References edit

  1. ^ 1. "Nantucket: Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie & Kerry Hallam.” Cape Cod Magazine. Mid-Summer 2001.
  2. ^ 2. J.W. Nostrand and James H. Cromartie. Nantucket Portrait: Fun & Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard-Edge Realism. Schiffer. Atglen, PA. 2008.
  3. ^ 3. "Island painter James Cromartie wins alumni award." The Inquirer and Mirror. October 27, 2005.
  4. ^ 4. "Nantucket: Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie & Kerry Hallam.” Cape Cod Magazine. Mid-Summer 2001.
  5. ^ 5. Catherine Fahy. "Cromartie work in art history textbook." The Inquirer and Mirror. 2005.
  6. ^ 6. "Nantucket: Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie & Kerry Hallam.” Cape Cod Magazine. Mid-Summer 2001.
  7. ^ 7. J.W. Nostrand and James H. Cromartie. Nantucket Portrait: Fun & Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard-Edge Realism. Schiffer. Atglen, PA. 2008.
  8. ^ 8. J.W. Nostrand and James H. Cromartie. Nantucket Portrait: Fun & Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard-Edge Realism. Schiffer. Atglen, PA. 2008.
  9. ^ 9. J.W. Nostrand and James H. Cromartie. Nantucket Portrait: Fun & Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard-Edge Realism. Schiffer. Atglen, PA. 2008.
  10. ^ 10. J.W. Nostrand and James H. Cromartie. Nantucket Portrait: Fun & Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard-Edge Realism. Schiffer. Atglen, PA. 2008.
  11. ^ 11. "Nantucket: Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie & Kerry Hallam.” Cape Cod Magazine. Mid-Summer 2001.
  12. ^ 12. J.W. Nostrand and James H. Cromartie. Nantucket Portrait: Fun & Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard-Edge Realism. Schiffer. Atglen, PA. 2008.
  13. ^ 13. "Nantucket: Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie & Kerry Hallam.” Cape Cod Magazine. Mid-Summer 2001.
  14. ^ 14. J.W. Nostrand and James H. Cromartie. Nantucket Portrait: Fun & Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard-Edge Realism. Schiffer. Atglen, PA. 2008.
  15. ^ 13. “Nantucket: Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie & Kerry Hallam.” Cape Cod Magazine. Mid-Summer 2001.
  16. ^ 14. J.W. Nostrand and James H. Cromartie. Nantucket Portrait: Fun & Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard-Edge Realism. Schiffer. Atglen, PA. 2008.
  17. ^ 15. http://www.ack.net/081408Cromartie.html
  18. ^ 16. J.W. Nostrand and James H. Cromartie. Nantucket Portrait: Fun & Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard-Edge Realism. Schiffer. Atglen, PA. 2008.
  19. ^ 17. J.W. Nostrand and James H. Cromartie. Nantucket Portrait: Fun & Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard-Edge Realism. Schiffer. Atglen, PA. 2008.
  20. ^ 18. Catherine Fahy. “Cromartie work in art history textbook.” The Inquirer and Mirror. 2005.
  21. ^ 21. Catherine Fahy. “Cromartie work in art history textbook.” The Inquirer and Mirror. 2005.
  22. ^ 22. "America’s Leading Hard-Edged Realist.” Service. Winter 2009.
  23. ^ 23. Catherine Fahy. "Cromartie work in art history textbook." The Inquirer and Mirror. 2005.
  24. ^ 24. Catherine Fahy. "Cromartie work in art history textbook." The Inquirer and Mirror. 2005.
  25. ^ 25. Gingrich, Newt. "Limited edition print of the United States Capitol." April 4, 1997.
  26. ^ 26. Catherine Fahy. "Cromartie work in art history textbook." The Inquirer and Mirror. 2005.
  27. ^ 27. Catherine Fahy. "Cromartie work in art history textbook." The Inquirer and Mirror. 2005.
  28. ^ 29. "Nantucket: Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie & Kerry Hallam.” Cape Cod Magazine. Mid-Summer 2001.
  29. ^ 30. http://www.cromartiegallery.com
  30. ^ 31. Kirk M. Crist. "Cromartie's art—a personal view." Naples Daily News. August 17, 1978.
  31. ^ 32. http://www.thirdjewel.com/aboutus.html August 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  32. ^ 33. http://www.cromartiegallery.com/about.php

April 11, 2024
james, cromartie, american, artist, credited, with, birth, hard, edge, realism, style, turns, both, redolent, departure, from, magic, realism, pioneered, andrew, wyeth, list, celebrities, wealthy, patrons, reported, among, collectors, extensive, examples, crom. James H Cromartie is an American artist credited with the birth of Hard Edge Realism 1 a style by turns both redolent of and a departure from the Magic realism pioneered by Andrew Wyeth 2 The list of celebrities and wealthy patrons reported to be among his collectors is extensive and examples of Cromartie s work may be found in 125 countries across the globe 3 Domestically Cromartie has been called one of America s leading historical artists for his commissioned portraits of the White House Smithsonian Institution U S Capitol and Supreme Court among others 4 In 2005 James H Cromartie s historical portrait of the White House was featured in the widely distributed art history textbook ArtTalk a distinction granted to a mere 25 living artists globally 5 Cromartie has resided year round on Nantucket Massachusetts for over 35 years proudly quipping there are Nantucket artists but then again there are artists who have chosen to live on Nantucket There s a b i g difference 6 James H CromartieBornJames H Cromartie 1944 05 03 May 3 1944 age 79 North Carolina USNationalityAmericanEducationEast Carolina UniversityKnown forPaintingMovementHard Edge RealismWebsitecromartiegallery wbr com wbr index wbr php Contents 1 Early life 2 Rockefeller Patronage 3 The birth of Hard Edge Realism 4 Work as a Historical Artist 5 Reception 6 ReferencesEarly life editJames H Cromartie was born into one of North Carolina s oldest and most prominent families initially possessing over one tenth of the state s entire territory 7 Despite the ease with which he could have obtained a career in civil service given his family s numerous political connections a young Jim found himself inexorably drawn to the world of fine art relishing in particular the renowned realist artists Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper 8 Cromartie remembers They had a small bookstore in the museum as a young third and fourth grade child I would steal those little books from the Mint Museum Well I didn t actually steal them all I would buy one and take three but I guess that s the same thing 9 Inspired by these canonical works but only able to view the bookstore s reproductions Jim would later inadvertently pioneer a style that would be uniquely his own Hard Edge Realism First however an important patron was fated to enter the life of the young artist James H Cromartie 10 Rockefeller Patronage editLate in the summer of 1969 Nelson and Happy Rockefeller paid a visit to James H Cromartie s gallery on Nantucket They bought two paintings that day for 600 dollars apiece 11 Jim remembers word spread across Old South Wharf and then across the entire town like a wildfire The Rockefellers only bought two paintings while they were on the island and they both were Jim Cromartie s 12 The following summer Nelson Rockefeller returned to Cromartie s gallery with longtime friend and college chum Roger Firestone They proceeded to buy every Cromartie in the gallery and would later promise their continued patronage indefinitely until James H Cromartie fully realized what would soon become his signature note Hard Edge Realism 13 Cromartie recalls it was like somebody put me on a rocket and my work just took off 14 The birth of Hard Edge Realism editEarly in his career James H Cromartie reports to have often surveyed the printed works of Andrew Wyeth for hours on end attempting to decode a technique so seamless it did not even bear the stroke of a brush 15 It would be years before Cromartie confident that he had finally mastered Wyeth s technique actually stood in front of an original Wyeth only to find the canvas so immaculately rendered in his books covered in brush strokes 16 Thus in simply attempting to emulate Andrew Wyeth James H Cromartie inadvertently spawned Hard Edge Realism launching him on a journey that would take him around the world and into the company of many of society s elite 17 James H Cromartie himself while accepting the popular use of the term Hard Edge Realism believes his style to be more correctly stated as surrealistic impressionism 18 Cromartie describes his work in Nantucket Portrait Fun amp Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard Edge Realism thus if you compare a photograph with my paintings you would see a great difference My lighting is better than real life My composition is better than real life I add things to the painting that might not actually be there if you took a photograph Sometimes I leave things out that are there My paintings have emotion and feeling in them that cannot be captured on film 19 Work as a Historical Artist editJames H Cromartie s body of work includes commissioned historical portraits of the Smithsonian Capitol White House and U S Supreme Court 20 The first of these commissions came in 1985 by personal request from the Smithsonian curator s daughter Sharon Boyd to paint its iconic original building The Castle 21 Prints of James H Cromartie s portrait of The Castle are today presented as gifts to visiting foreign dignitaries 22 Following the success of the Smithsonian portrait Cromartie received a second commission to paint the U S Capitol from its eponymous Historical Society 23 At the unveiling Senator Sam Nunn chided Cromartie for leaving out the flag over the domed Capitol in response Cromartie quickly proceeded to paint the flag right where Nunn stood 24 Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich personally thanked Cromartie for the portrait in a letter calling it an exceptional and truly beautiful work of art 25 Perhaps the most personal of all James H Cromartie s historical commissions was that which he received to paint the official portrait of the White House as Cromartie s fourth great grandfather James Hoban designed it 26 The portrait was personally received by President Ronald Reagan and would later be chosen along with Cromartie s portrait of the Capitol by the U S State Department to feature prominently in the U S Embassy in Moscow 27 James H Cromartie s latest commissioned historical portrait of the U S Supreme Court rounded out his career as one of America s leading historical artists 28 and is thus affectionately referred to by him as the third jewel 29 Reception editJames H Cromartie s oeuvre has enjoyed a warm reception both critically and commercially Kirk M Crist of the Naples Daily News recognized Cromartie early on as being truly on the threshold of one of the most brilliant art careers this country has ever known 30 Paul Chelko former art critic for the Atlanta Journal effusively praised Cromartie s work writing brilliance cannot be defined nor genius denied it is all here what Grant Wood Edward Hopper Andrew Wyeth and many others have done artistic evolution it seems has granted us something more 31 James H Cromartie has amassed a number of celebrity collectors to date including Tom Brokaw Roger Firestone Princess Diana Steve Forbes Nelson Rockefeller and Robert Duvall 32 References edit 1 Nantucket Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie amp Kerry Hallam Cape Cod Magazine Mid Summer 2001 2 J W Nostrand and James H Cromartie Nantucket Portrait Fun amp Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard Edge Realism Schiffer Atglen PA 2008 3 Island painter James Cromartie wins alumni award The Inquirer and Mirror October 27 2005 4 Nantucket Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie amp Kerry Hallam Cape Cod Magazine Mid Summer 2001 5 Catherine Fahy Cromartie work in art history textbook The Inquirer and Mirror 2005 6 Nantucket Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie amp Kerry Hallam Cape Cod Magazine Mid Summer 2001 7 J W Nostrand and James H Cromartie Nantucket Portrait Fun amp Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard Edge Realism Schiffer Atglen PA 2008 8 J W Nostrand and James H Cromartie Nantucket Portrait Fun amp Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard Edge Realism Schiffer Atglen PA 2008 9 J W Nostrand and James H Cromartie Nantucket Portrait Fun amp Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard Edge Realism Schiffer Atglen PA 2008 10 J W Nostrand and James H Cromartie Nantucket Portrait Fun amp Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard Edge Realism Schiffer Atglen PA 2008 11 Nantucket Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie amp Kerry Hallam Cape Cod Magazine Mid Summer 2001 12 J W Nostrand and James H Cromartie Nantucket Portrait Fun amp Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard Edge Realism Schiffer Atglen PA 2008 13 Nantucket Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie amp Kerry Hallam Cape Cod Magazine Mid Summer 2001 14 J W Nostrand and James H Cromartie Nantucket Portrait Fun amp Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard Edge Realism Schiffer Atglen PA 2008 13 Nantucket Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie amp Kerry Hallam Cape Cod Magazine Mid Summer 2001 14 J W Nostrand and James H Cromartie Nantucket Portrait Fun amp Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard Edge Realism Schiffer Atglen PA 2008 15 http www ack net 081408Cromartie html 16 J W Nostrand and James H Cromartie Nantucket Portrait Fun amp Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard Edge Realism Schiffer Atglen PA 2008 17 J W Nostrand and James H Cromartie Nantucket Portrait Fun amp Games with the Super Rich the Birth of Hard Edge Realism Schiffer Atglen PA 2008 18 Catherine Fahy Cromartie work in art history textbook The Inquirer and Mirror 2005 21 Catherine Fahy Cromartie work in art history textbook The Inquirer and Mirror 2005 22 America s Leading Hard Edged Realist Service Winter 2009 23 Catherine Fahy Cromartie work in art history textbook The Inquirer and Mirror 2005 24 Catherine Fahy Cromartie work in art history textbook The Inquirer and Mirror 2005 25 Gingrich Newt Limited edition print of the United States Capitol April 4 1997 26 Catherine Fahy Cromartie work in art history textbook The Inquirer and Mirror 2005 27 Catherine Fahy Cromartie work in art history textbook The Inquirer and Mirror 2005 29 Nantucket Home to Nationally Acclaimed Contemporary artists James Cromartie amp Kerry Hallam Cape Cod Magazine Mid Summer 2001 30 http www cromartiegallery com 31 Kirk M Crist Cromartie s art a personal view Naples Daily News August 17 1978 32 http www thirdjewel com aboutus html Archived August 1 2011 at the Wayback Machine 33 http www cromartiegallery com about php Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James H Cromartie amp oldid 1079161675, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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