David Foster Pratt
Encyclopedia
David Foster Pratt was an American artist
, art instructor and designer. He was best known for his watercolor and oil landscapes. Pratt served as the director of the Art Institute of Buffalo
in the late 1940s and early 1950s. During his tenure at the Institute, he worked closely with Charles Burchfield. He lived and worked most of his life in western New York
. His works have been exhibited in many northeastern and mid-west states.
. As a young boy, Pratt watched an artist set up his easel and begin painting the New York countryside. He was curious and stopped to talk. The artist was Carl Bredemeier. That was Pratt’s introduction to art. It also began a life-long friendship between Pratt and Bredemeier.
In 1934, Pratt began working in Bredemeier’s gallery in Buffalo, New York
. Pratt worked with Bredemeier as an art restorer, carver, and framer for the next fourteen years. During that time, Pratt studied with painter William B. Rowe
and sculptor William Ehrich at the Art Institute of Buffalo. In 1939, he won the Best Landscape award at the Western New York Exhibition hosted by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery
in Buffalo.
In 1940, Pratt enlisted in the United States Army
. During World War II
, Pratt was stationed in California, Hawaii, and the south Pacific. After the war, he returned to Buffalo and taught creative painting at the Art Institute of Buffalo. While a member of the Institute’s faculty, Pratt assisted the well know artist Charles Burchfield, and worked closely with painter William B. Rowe. Pratt served as the Institute’s director from 1949 to 1952. During his tenure at the Institute, he earned a reputation as one of the best artists in western New York.
In the 1950s, Pratt began to actively exhibit his work. This expanded his following in the art world, especially in western New York and the mid-west. In 1992, Burchfield-Penney Art Center
at Buffalo State College
put together a special retrospective highlighting Pratt’s works from 1939 to 1991. In 2007, the Burchfield Nature and Art Center Gallery in West Seneca, New York
, hosted a special exhibited entitled The Vision of Watercolor with works by Pratt and three members of his family (Michael Pratt, Sarah Tobin, and Susan Rudnicky). Pratt died in Holland, New York on 21 November 2010.
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Pratt was a painter, draftsman, designer, and art instructor. He was especially well known for his modern urban and rural landscapes
. His oil painting
and watercolors are very accomplished. He also did work in charcoal
, conté crayon, and pencil
.
Pratt won several prestigious awards including Best Landscape in Oil at the 1939 Western New York Exhibition hosted by the Albright Art Gallery and the 1941 New York State Fair Purchase Award in Syracuse, New York
. He also won the Watercolor Purchase Award at the Butler Museum of American Art National Exhibition in 1954.
Pratt’s paintings have been exhibited in the mid-west and throughout the northeastern United States
. In addition to the Albright Art Gallery, his works have been included in major shows at the Art Institute of Chicago
, the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, and the Butler Institute of American Art
in Youngstown, Ohio
. The Burchfield-Penney Art Center and the Butler Institute of American Art exhibit Pratt’s works in their permanent collections.
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
, art instructor and designer. He was best known for his watercolor and oil landscapes. Pratt served as the director of the Art Institute of Buffalo
Art Institute of Buffalo
The Art Institute of Buffalo was an art school in Buffalo, New York. It opened its doors in 1931, and continued to produce graduates until the Institute closed in 1956. The faculty included a number of well-known artists...
in the late 1940s and early 1950s. During his tenure at the Institute, he worked closely with Charles Burchfield. He lived and worked most of his life in western New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. His works have been exhibited in many northeastern and mid-west states.
Life
He was born 11 January 1918 in Ithaca, New YorkIthaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
. As a young boy, Pratt watched an artist set up his easel and begin painting the New York countryside. He was curious and stopped to talk. The artist was Carl Bredemeier. That was Pratt’s introduction to art. It also began a life-long friendship between Pratt and Bredemeier.
In 1934, Pratt began working in Bredemeier’s gallery in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. Pratt worked with Bredemeier as an art restorer, carver, and framer for the next fourteen years. During that time, Pratt studied with painter William B. Rowe
William B. Rowe
William Bentley Rowe was an American artist and art educator who worked primarily in New York and New Mexico. He was a versatile artist who used a wide range of mediums with great success. He also executed several large murals. Rowe was a leading member of the Art Institute of Buffalo. Other...
and sculptor William Ehrich at the Art Institute of Buffalo. In 1939, he won the Best Landscape award at the Western New York Exhibition hosted by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is an art museum located in Delaware Park in Buffalo, New York. The gallery is a major showplace for modern art and contemporary art. It is located directly across the street from Buffalo State College.-History:...
in Buffalo.
In 1940, Pratt enlisted in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Pratt was stationed in California, Hawaii, and the south Pacific. After the war, he returned to Buffalo and taught creative painting at the Art Institute of Buffalo. While a member of the Institute’s faculty, Pratt assisted the well know artist Charles Burchfield, and worked closely with painter William B. Rowe. Pratt served as the Institute’s director from 1949 to 1952. During his tenure at the Institute, he earned a reputation as one of the best artists in western New York.
In the 1950s, Pratt began to actively exhibit his work. This expanded his following in the art world, especially in western New York and the mid-west. In 1992, Burchfield-Penney Art Center
Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield Penney Art Center is located on the campus of Buffalo State College and was founded in 1966. Dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo, Niagara and Western New York...
at Buffalo State College
Buffalo State College
The State University of New York College at Buffalo, referred to as Buffalo State College, often referred to colloquially as Buff State, is a public, liberal arts college in Buffalo, New York, United States and is part of the State University of New York. Buffalo State was founded in 1871 as the...
put together a special retrospective highlighting Pratt’s works from 1939 to 1991. In 2007, the Burchfield Nature and Art Center Gallery in West Seneca, New York
West Seneca, New York
West Seneca is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 44,711 at the 2010 census. West Seneca is a centrally-located interior town of the county, and a suburb of Buffalo...
, hosted a special exhibited entitled The Vision of Watercolor with works by Pratt and three members of his family (Michael Pratt, Sarah Tobin, and Susan Rudnicky). Pratt died in Holland, New York on 21 November 2010.
Art work
Landscape art
Landscape art is a term that covers the depiction of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests, and especially art where the main subject is a wide view, with its elements arranged into a coherent composition. In other works landscape backgrounds for figures can still...
. His oil painting
Oil painting
Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil—especially in early modern Europe, linseed oil. Often an oil such as linseed was boiled with a resin such as pine resin or even frankincense; these were called 'varnishes' and were prized for their body...
and watercolors are very accomplished. He also did work in charcoal
Charcoal
Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
, conté crayon, and pencil
Pencil
A pencil is a writing implement or art medium usually constructed of a narrow, solid pigment core inside a protective casing. The case prevents the core from breaking, and also from marking the user’s hand during use....
.
Pratt won several prestigious awards including Best Landscape in Oil at the 1939 Western New York Exhibition hosted by the Albright Art Gallery and the 1941 New York State Fair Purchase Award in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. He also won the Watercolor Purchase Award at the Butler Museum of American Art National Exhibition in 1954.
Pratt’s paintings have been exhibited in the mid-west and throughout the northeastern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In addition to the Albright Art Gallery, his works have been included in major shows at the Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of America's largest accredited independent schools of art and design, located in the Loop in Chicago, Illinois. It is associated with the museum of the same name, and "The Art Institute of Chicago" or "Chicago Art Institute" often refers to either...
, the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, and the Butler Institute of American Art
Butler Institute of American Art
The Butler Institute of American Art, located on Wick Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio, United States, was the first museum dedicated exclusively to American art. Established by local industrialist and philanthropist Joseph G. Butler, Jr., the museum has been operating pro bono since 1919...
in Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
. The Burchfield-Penney Art Center and the Butler Institute of American Art exhibit Pratt’s works in their permanent collections.
Exhibitions
His works have been displayed in numerous one-man gallery shows and special exhibits including:- Twentieth Century ClubTwentieth Century Club (Buffalo, New York)The Twentieth Century Club is a women's social club founded in the late 19th century in Buffalo, New York. It is located at 595 Delaware Avenue, in the Delaware District neighborhood. It was the first club run by women, for women, in the United States....
in Buffalo (1940) - Art Institute of BuffaloArt Institute of BuffaloThe Art Institute of Buffalo was an art school in Buffalo, New York. It opened its doors in 1931, and continued to produce graduates until the Institute closed in 1956. The faculty included a number of well-known artists...
(1948) - The Artist’s Gallery in Buffalo (1981)
- The Barbara Schuller Gallery in Buffalo (1990)
- Anderson Gallery in Buffalo (1991)
- Pratt retrospective exhibit at the Burchfield-Penney Art CenterBurchfield-Penney Art CenterThe Burchfield Penney Art Center is located on the campus of Buffalo State College and was founded in 1966. Dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo, Niagara and Western New York...
in Buffalo (1992) - Special exhibit, “David Pratt: A Portfolio” at the Norberg’s Art Gallery in East Aurora, New YorkEast Aurora, New YorkEast Aurora is a village in Erie County, New York, United States, southeast of Buffalo. The Village of East Aurora lies in the eastern half of the Town of Aurora.The population was 6,673 at the 2000 census...
(1999) - Rural and Urban Morphology Gallery in Buffalo (2003)
- Burchfield-Penney Art Center in Buffalo (2004)
- Richmond Memorial Library Gallery in Batavia, New York (2004)
- Watercolor Synergy GoArt Gallery in Batavia (2004)
- Norberg’s Art Gallery in East Aurora (2005)
- Special exhibit, “A Life in the Arts” series at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center in Buffalo (2006)
- Special exhibit, “The Vision of Watercolor” with works by Pratt and his family at the Burchfield Nature and Art Center Gallery in West Seneca, New YorkWest Seneca, New YorkWest Seneca is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 44,711 at the 2010 census. West Seneca is a centrally-located interior town of the county, and a suburb of Buffalo...
(2007)