Frank Mason
Encyclopedia
Frank Herbert Mason was an American
painter and teacher.
Mason was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the Music and Arts High School in New York until he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Art Students League of New York
with Frank DuMond
. Mason studied with Dumond until DuMond's death in 1951, when he himself began teaching at the Art Students League.
Mason's painting, the Resurrection of Christ, can be seen in Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral
in New York
. In 1962 Mason received a commission to paint eight large paintings of the Life of St. Anthony of Padua, which were permanently installed in the 11th Century Church of San Giovanni de Malta, in Venice
, where his paintings hang alongside a painting by Giovanni Bellini
. Consequently, the Order of Malta conferred upon him the Cross of Merit, Prima Classe. He became the first painter to receive the honor since Caravaggio
.
In response to the overcleaning of the Sistine Chapel
, Mason, along with James Beck, helped form the organization, ArtWatch International
.
The many and talented young emerging painters Frank Mason had been teaching ever since 1951 recently celebrated their teacher-mentor's 85th birthday in New York, organizing a gathering in honour and thankfulness for over 50 years of generous dedication to his students.
Mason will be the subject of an upcoming, full length documentary film produced by Maestro films.
Mason is survived by his wife Anne and Arden Harriman Mason, his son from his first marriage with artist Phyllis Harriman Mason.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
painter and teacher.
Mason was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the Music and Arts High School in New York until he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Art Students League of New York
Art Students League of New York
The Art Students League of New York is an art school located on West 57th Street in New York City. The League has historically been known for its broad appeal to both amateurs and professional artists, and has maintained for over 130 years a tradition of offering reasonably priced classes on a...
with Frank DuMond
Frank DuMond
Frank Vincent DuMond was an American Impressionist painter born in Rochester, New York. He taught at the Art Students League of New York for more than 50 years, until his death in 1951. His students included Charles Hawthorne, Georgia O'Keeffe, John Marin, Andrew Loomis, Norman Rockwell, Frank J....
. Mason studied with Dumond until DuMond's death in 1951, when he himself began teaching at the Art Students League.
Mason's painting, the Resurrection of Christ, can be seen in Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York
The Basilica of Saint Patrick's Old Cathedral, or Old St. Patrick's, is located at 260-264 Mulberry Street between Prince and Houston Streets in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, with the primary entrance currently located on Mott Street...
in 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...
. In 1962 Mason received a commission to paint eight large paintings of the Life of St. Anthony of Padua, which were permanently installed in the 11th Century Church of San Giovanni de Malta, in Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
, where his paintings hang alongside a painting by Giovanni Bellini
Giovanni Bellini
Giovanni Bellini was an Italian Renaissance painter, probably the best known of the Bellini family of Venetian painters. His father was Jacopo Bellini, his brother was Gentile Bellini, and his brother-in-law was Andrea Mantegna. He is considered to have revolutionized Venetian painting, moving it...
. Consequently, the Order of Malta conferred upon him the Cross of Merit, Prima Classe. He became the first painter to receive the honor since Caravaggio
Caravaggio
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian artist active in Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. His paintings, which combine a realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, with a dramatic use of lighting, had a formative influence on the Baroque...
.
In response to the overcleaning of the Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel is the best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It is famous for its architecture and its decoration that was frescoed throughout by Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio...
, Mason, along with James Beck, helped form the organization, ArtWatch International
ArtWatch International
ArtWatch International was founded by James Beck, professor of art history at Columbia University, to monitor, and campaign for better practices in, the conservation of art works...
.
The many and talented young emerging painters Frank Mason had been teaching ever since 1951 recently celebrated their teacher-mentor's 85th birthday in New York, organizing a gathering in honour and thankfulness for over 50 years of generous dedication to his students.
Mason will be the subject of an upcoming, full length documentary film produced by Maestro films.
Mason is survived by his wife Anne and Arden Harriman Mason, his son from his first marriage with artist Phyllis Harriman Mason.