Artists & Writers

Archipenko, Alexander (1887-1964)

Archipenko was born in Kiev, Russia, where he studied art before moving to Paris in 1909. Part of the cubist movement, his work is exhibited in many major museums.

Cullen, Countee (1903-1946)

Raised in Harlem by the Reverend Frederick Ashbury Cullen, Countee became a poet whose writings gained renown during the Harlem Renaissance. His works were published in literary magazines including The Crisis and Opportunity.

Fisher, Rudolph (1897-1934)

Although he was trained and worked as a physician, Fisher is best known as a fiction writer. He is considered one of the first African American authors to write detective novels, which include The Conjure Man Dies and Walls of Jericho.

Flagg, James Montgomery (1877-1960)

Born in Pelham Manor, New York, Flagg is best known for his World War I recruiting poster depicting Uncle Sam, "I Want You!"

Huntington, Anna Hyatt (1876-1973)

As a sculptor, Huntington produced large public works and is best known for equestrian monuments including the statue of Jose Marti in Central Park. With her husband, Archer, she established Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina.

Leyendecker, J.C. (1874-1951)

A famous illustrator, Leyendecker is widely recognized for his covers of the Saturday Evening Post and the "Arrow Collar Man."

Melville, Herman (1819-1891)

One of America's greatest writers, Melville is best known as the author of the novel Moby Dick.

Nast, Thomas (1840-1902)

Nast was a cartoonist and illustrator who created what is typically considered the classic image of Santa Claus for Harper's magazine in 1863. He was well known for his political cartoons and was responsible for the creation of the Republican elephant and Democrat donkey mascots.

Post, George (1837-1913)

Post received his formal training as a civil engineer and started his career as an architect under Richard Morris Hunt. Post designed the New York Stock Exchange Building and was a contributor to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

Whitney, Gertrude Vanderbilt (1875-1942)

Granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt and the wife of Harry Payne Whitney, Gertrude was a sculptor who created many public works. She was also a collector of American art and the founder of the Whitney Museum in New York.