One of America's finest painters, Rockwell Kent chose a life of art and culture. Also an illustrator, designer, and printmaker, he was equally well known for his intellectual writings, far-reaching travel, support of artists' issues, and political activism. To Kent, painting was a highly philosophical exercise for individual expression. His ... MORE

A distinguished naval medical officer and surgeon, David Kindleberger was born in Smithville, Ohio. After graduating from Wittenberg College in 1855, he attended medical school at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, completing his degree in 1858. One year later, Kindleberger joined the United States Navy as an assistant surgeon. He ... MORE

Lauded as Washington, D.C.'s first significant resident artist, Charles Bird King studied in New York with Edward Savage and in London with Benjamin West. At the time, West had all but abandoned portraiture for history painting, but King benefitted from West's instruction and gained access to the studios of the best English portrait painters. ... MORE