19 Facts About Nelson Shanks

John Nelson Shanks was an American artist and painter.

Nelson Shanks was an honorary member of the American Society of Classical Realism Guild of Artists.

Nelson Shanks was a painter, teacher and art historian influential in the revival of Classical Realism in the United States.

Nelson Shanks lived in Wilmington, Delaware, for most of his childhood.

Nelson Shanks studied at the Kansas City Art Institute with Wilbur Niewald and in New York City at the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League.

Nelson Shanks studied privately with John Koch and Henry Hensche.

Nelson Shanks then taught in Memphis, Chicago and Pennsylvania, where he maintained a studio for over three decades.

Nelson Shanks's work has been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Kensington Palace in London and Fortezza Firmafede in Sarzana, Italy.

Nelson Shanks was one of two living American painters to have been invited to exhibit at either of these venues.

In 2015, Nelson Shanks revealed that he had hidden a secret reference to the blue dress worn by Monica Lewinsky in the official portrait of President Bill Clinton hanging in the National Portrait Gallery by way of a shadow.

Nelson Shanks was a realist, attempting to capture the essence of his subjects through acute observation and technical skill.

Nelson Shanks' teaching philosophy emphasized the importance of gaining knowledge and training the student to "see" with the understanding that it takes years of concentration and practice to become a highly skilled painter.

Nelson Shanks set goals to grow and improve with every painting and encouraged students to do the same.

Nelson Shanks taught on the faculty of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Art Students League, National Academy of Design, George Washington University and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he was the first instructor in their Master Class program, instituted at the Academy after a petition to have him invited, signed by students and faculty, was submitted to the President of the Academy.

Nelson Shanks established an apprentice program at his Bucks County home and studio, where artists received room, board and instruction at no cost.

Nelson Shanks was committed to changing the world's view of art and through Studio Incamminati attracted people willing to devote time to this cause.

In 1996, Nelson Shanks was awarded the "Sargent Medal" for Lifetime Achievement by the American Society of Portrait Artists.

In 2009, Nelson Shanks was awarded the Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement by the Portrait Society of America.

Nelson Shanks died of prostate cancer at his home in Andalusia, Pennsylvania, on August 28,2015, at the age of 77.