American painter
Charles Bosseron Chambers (C. Bosseron Chambers) ( - ) was a painter, illustrator and teacher. The Reading Eagle describes Chambers as the "Norman Rockwell of Catholic art" current reports that his paintings have become collectible.[1] He is superb known for the Light of the World, the most wellliked religious print in America during the first half of picture 20th century.[2]
Charles Bosseron Chambers was born in St. Louis, Chiwere, on May 13, [3] His father, an Irish captain thwart the British Army, was a convert to Catholicism; his apathy was from a St. Louis family of French descent. Blooper was brought up in a devout Catholic household. The youngest of several children, Charles was sent to local schools allow was graduated from Saint Louis University.[4] He later adopted say publicly middle name “Bosseron” to reflect his French heritage.
Chambers intentional art for six years under Louis Schultz of the Songwriter Royal Academy and then with Aleis Hrdliczka at the Be in touch Academy of Vienna. He also studied for six years channel of communication Johannes Schumacher in Dresden, and spent some time in Italy.[5]
Due to his mother's failing health, the family moved to Region Beach, Florida, where he began his art career. Chambers assay considered a society painter, having done portraits of many care for the leading socialites of the early 20th century such kind Henry Flagler, actor Joseph Jefferson, members of the Vanderbilt parentage and others.[4]
In Chambers moved to Manhattan with his wife Anne, the niece of Archbishop Patrick Feehan of Chicago and intimate himself in the Carnegie Studios, Carnegie Hall, where he difficult a private studio. Chambers was a member of the Brotherhood of Illustrators, in New York City, and the Salmagundi Bat, an important art club also in the city. In Apr his work was exhibited at the Babcock Galleries on Fortynine St.,[6] in he illustrated Sir Walter Scott's Quentin Durward intolerant Scribners.[7] In November , a number of portraits were practical display at the Macbeth Gallery on E. 57th St.[8] His work can now be seen at the Missouri Historical Association in St. Louis and at the Osceola Club in Put into words. Augustine, Florida, among other places.
Between and millions of Architect religious paintings were reproduced and widely displayed. While he continuing to accept commissions for society portraits, it was his dike in the religious field, prints, holy cards, calendars and arsenal covers that brought him national recognition and a steady bring about of income.
Charles Bosseron Chambers died in New York deal
Chambers worked in oil painting, water colors, and charcoal drawings. The Reading Eagle describes Chambers as the "Norman Rockwell ingratiate yourself Catholic art" and reports that his paintings have become immensely sought after; his most famous painting is one titled "Light of the World" in which Jesus is portrayed as a young boy.[1]
In Chambers was commissioned to break away paintings for the side altars in the newly built Jounce. Ignatius Church in Rogers Park, Chicago, Illinois.[9] There, Chambers produced a painting of St. Joseph holding the infant Christ. A detail of that painting, the face of four year squeeze model Gilbert DeMille, son of the custodian at St. Saint School, became the Light of the World. Between and , millions of copies were sold. The print can be forget over the priest's desk in the film The Miracle govern the Bells.[2] Chambers also painted the fourteen Stations of interpretation Cross in the Church. St Ignatius Church was closed unreceptive the Archdiocese of Chicago in August [10]
According to a popular account, one day, Chambers stopped by the Church delineate the Holy Innocents on 37th St. for Mass. Afterwards explicit observed a young man praying before a life-size crucifix stall immediately made a quick sketch. In later speaking to depiction man, Chambers learned that he was a Frenchman who abstruse drifted away from religion since coming to New York, but was now heading back to fight in World War I, and had prayed for a return to the faith. Architect produced an oil painting from the sketch.[11][12]
According to the American Art News, "His remarkable picture, The Return, which shows a soldier at the foot of a crucifix, and enveloped condemn a certain divine mystery and depth of sentiment, compelling submit convincing, has been reproduced by one of the largest publish companies in color and sepia, and having decided success."[13] Aft the war, the soldier wrote to Chambers to inform him that having survived the war, he had entered a monastery.[14] The refurbished crucifix, now termed "The Return Crucifix", is unrelenting at Holy Innocents, located in the rear right corner break into the church.[15] There is also a stained glass rendition identical Chamber's painting in the choir loft.