Francis Chapin Art
American, 1899-1965
Francis Chapin, affectionately called the “Dean of Chicago Painters” by his colleagues, was one of the city’s most popular and celebrated painters in his day. Born at the dawn of the 20th Century in Bristolville, Ohio, Chapin graduated from Washington
Jefferson College near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before enrolling at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1922. He would set down deep roots at the Art Institute of Chicago, exhibiting there over 31 times between 1926 and 1951. In 1927 Chapin won the prestigious Bryan Lathrop Fellowship from the Art Institute – a prize that funded the artist’s yearlong study trip to Europe. Upon his return to the United States, Chapin decided to remain in Chicago, noting the freedom Chicago artists have in developing independently of the pressure to conform to pre-existing molds (as was experienced by artists in New York, for example). Chapin became a popular instructor at the Art Institute, teaching there from 1929 to 1947 and at the Art Institute’s summer art school in Saugatuck, Michigan (now called Oxbow) between 1934 – 1938 (he was the director of the school from 1941-1945).
A prolific painter, Chapin produced numerous works while traveling in Mexico, France, Spain, Saugatuck and Martha’s Vineyard, where he frequently spent summers and taught at the Old Sculpin Gallery there. Chapin was best recognized for his dynamic and vibrant images of Chicago during the 1930s and 40s. Chapin was a resident of the Old Town neighborhood where he lived and kept his studio on Menomonee Street for many years. Described as a “colorful figure, nearly 6 feet 6 inches tall, and thin, and usually wearing tweeds”, it is easy to imagine Chapin at work observing the busy street life of the city.
In addition to his many exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chapin’s work was shown during his lifetime at such institutions as the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia; the Corcoran Gallery, Washington, D.C.; the National Academy of Design, New York; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York and the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, among others. Francis Chapin’s paintings are represented in the collections the Art Institute of Chicago; the Friedman Collection, Chicago; the Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown; the Denver Art Museum; the Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse; the Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach; the Telfair Museum of Art, Savannah and the Brooklyn Museum of Art, among others.to
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Early Mexican City Scene by Chicago Artist Francis Chapin, San Miguel de Allende
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming, vibrant, early Mexican rooftop city street scene by famed Chicago Modern artist Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Depicting a quiet, picturesque view of the rooftops and c...
Category
1940s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A Charming, Modern 1950s Martha
s Vineyard Street Scene, "New England Village"
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A large, delightful, Mid-Century Modern 1950s Martha's Vineyard street scene painting by famed Chicago artist, Francis Chapin. Depicting a picturesque view of the historic Main Stre...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A Vibrant, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Painting of a Bull Fight by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A vibrant, colorful, 1950s Mid-Century Modern painting of a bull fight by notable Chicago artist, Francis Chapin. Oil on canvas, presented in a period, dark walnut brown stained flo...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
An Introspective, Modern 1940s Portrait of a Seated Young Ballet Dancer
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A captivating, Modern 1940s portrait painting of a young female ballet dancer by famed Chicago artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). A skilled and expressive studio portrait of a ...
Category
1940s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Oil
A Captivating 1940s Modern Painting of a Seated Female Nude by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A captivating, 1940s Modern painting of a seated nude on a garden bench by famed Chicago artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). A sensitive, skilled portrait of a young female mode...
Category
1940s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A Captivating 1930s Portrait of a Young Woman, "Green Scarf" by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A captivating 1930s Modern portrait painting of a young woman, titled "Green Scarf", by famed Chicago artist, Francis Chapin. Image size: 14 1/4 x 10 inches. Framed size: 15 1/...
Category
1930s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Oil, Board
Charming Mid-Century Modern 1950s Portrait of a Young Girl by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming, beautifully painted, Mid-Century Modern portrait of a young girl by noted Chicago artist, Francis Chapin. Dating from the 1950s, the painting was exhibited at the famed ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Early Mexican City Scene by Chicago Artist Francis Chapin, San Miguel de Allende
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming, vibrant, early Mexican city street scene by famed Chicago Modern artist Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Depicting a quiet, picturesque view of the rooftops and cathedral...
Category
1940s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Oil, Masonite
A Vintage 1950s Pastel
Charcoal Drawing of a Hockey Game by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfect for any hockey enthusiast! A dynamic 1950s pastel and charcoal on paper drawing of a hockey game by artist Francis Chapin. Artwork size: 9 x 12 inches; Matted size: 14 x 18 inches. Estate stamped on reverse. Provenance: Estate of the Artist.
Francis Chapin, affectionately called the “Dean of Chicago Painters” by his colleagues, was one of the city’s most popular and celebrated painters in his day. Born at the dawn of the 20th Century in Bristolville, Ohio, Chapin graduated from Washington and Jefferson College near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before enrolling at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1922. He would set down deep roots at the Art Institute of Chicago, exhibiting there over 31 times between 1926 and 1951. In 1927 Chapin won the prestigious Bryan Lathrop Fellowship from the Art Institute – a prize that funded the artist’s yearlong study trip to Europe. Upon his return to the United States, Chapin decided to remain in Chicago, noting the freedom Chicago artists have in developing independently of the pressure to conform to pre-existing molds (as was experienced by artists in New York, for example). Chapin became a popular instructor at the Art Institute, teaching there from 1929 to 1947 and at the Art Institute’s summer art school in Saugatuck, Michigan (now called Oxbow) between 1934 – 1938 (he was the director of the school from 1941-1945). Chapin’s contemporaries among Chicago’s artists included such luminaries as Ivan Le Lorraine Albright...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Charcoal, Pastel
A Vibrant, Mid-Century Modern Portrait of a Young Woman in a Yellow Blouse
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Vibrant, Mid-Century Modern Portrait of a Young Woman in a Yellow Blouse by Notable Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Oil on Masonite, dating circa 1945. Artwork Si...
Category
1940s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A Dynamic Mid-Century Modern Manhattan Scene, New York City by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Large, Dynamic 1950s Mid-Century Modern Watercolor of Lower Manhattan, New York City by Noted Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). The image is watercolor, pastel and c...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Watercolor, Archival Paper, Charcoal, Pastel
A 1950s Mid-Century Modern Pastel Monoprint "Edgartown Harbor" by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A dynamic, unique Mid-Century Modern monoprint of a sailing regatta in Martha's Vineyard, "Edgartown Harbor", by notable Chicago Modern artist Francis Chapin. Lithograph on paper wi...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Pastel, Lithograph, Paper
Untitled (Boat Repair)
By Francis Chapin
Located in Dallas, TX
Francis Chapin was one of the most celebrated painters in Chicago during his lifetime. When he was a young art student, Valley House founder, Donald Vogel, painted with "Chape" on th...
Category
1940s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
A Fabulous 1950s Mid-Century Modern Portrait of a Seated Woman, "Southern Belle"
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Fabulous 1950s Mid-Century Modern Portrait of a Seated Woman, "Southern Belle" by Noted Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). A colorful Southern painting depicting a ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A Delightful Mid-Century Modern Painting of Mother and Child by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Delightful Mid-Century Modern Painting of Mother and Child by Noted Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Artwork size: 5 3/4 x 4 Inches (Framed size: 9 3/4 x 8 1/2 inc...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A Delightful, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Portrait of a Young Boy in Blue Scarf
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Delightful, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Portrait, "Boy in Blue Scarf" by Notable Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Artwork Size: 11 3/4 x 9 1/4 inches (Framed size: 1...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
Untitled
By Francis Chapin
Located in Dallas, TX
Francis Chapin was one of the most celebrated painters in Chicago during his lifetime. When he was a young art student, Valley House founder, Donald Vogel, painted with "Chape" on th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
A Charming, 1950s Painting of a Little Girl, "Red Smock" by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Charming, 1950s Painting of a Little Girl, "Red Smock" by Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). What a character this one is! A little gem of a painting. Artwork size: 8 x 4 inches (...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A Busy 1950s Martha
s Vineyard Harbor Scene, Dockyard Truck by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A colorful, 1950s industrial harbor scene painting of a dockyard truck in a working Martha's Vineyard boatyard by notable Chicago artist, Francis Chapin. Completed near the artist's...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
Untitled
By Francis Chapin
Located in Dallas, TX
Francis Chapin was one of the most celebrated painters in Chicago during his lifetime. When he was a young art student, Valley House founder, Donald Vogel, painted with "Chape" on th...
Category
1930s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Ink, Paper, Watercolor
A Colorful 1950s Mid-Century Modern Painting of a Bull Fight by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A colorful, 1950s Mid-Century Modern painting of a bull fight by notable Chicago artist, Francis Chapin. Oil on canvas, in a dark walnut brown stained frame. Painted most likely in...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
A Charming, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Portrait of a Young Boy in Blue Hat
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Charming, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Portrait of a Young Boy in Blue Hat by Notable Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Artwork Size: 9 x 6 1/4 inches (Framed size: 1...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A ca. 1954, drawing of a Notre Dame Football Game by Artist Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A ca. 1954 pastel & charcoal on paper drawing of a Notre Dame football game by artist Francis Chapin. Artwork size: 12" x 19". Archivally matted ...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Charcoal, Pastel
An Introspective, Modern Female Nude Pastel by Noted Artist, Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
An Introspective, Exquitie Modern Pastel of a Seated Female Nude by Noted Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Dating ca. 1930s. Artwork size: 16 1/2 x 12 1/4 inches; ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Pastel
An 1950
s Modernist Watercolor of Amsterdam by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A colorful, charming 1950s Mid-Century, architectural cityscape of Amsterdam by notable Chicago Modern artist Francis Chapin. Artwork size: 7 3/4 x 10 3/4 inches. Archivally matte...
Category
1950s Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Watercolor, Paper, Ink
A Charming, 1950s Expressionist Portrait of a Young Girl by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Charming, 1950s Expressionist Portrait of a Young Girl by Famed Chicago Modern Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). A wonderful, intimate Mid-Century studio portrait of a young...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A Wonderful, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Portrait Painting of a Boy with a Trumpet
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Wonderful, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Portrait Painting of a Boy with a Trumpet by Noted Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Artwork size: 8 3/4 x 6 1/4 inches (Framed...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
A Delightful Painting of a Young Boy Sketching in a Boathouse by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Delightful Painting of a Young Boy Sketching in a Boathouse by Noted Chicago Modern Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Painted circa 1958 at the artist's summer house and st...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Oil, Board
“Seated Girl”
By Francis Chapin
Located in Warren, NJ
Francis Chapin original watercolor “seated girl”. In good condition measures 36x23
Category
20th Century Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Watercolor
A 1950s Lithograph of Martha
s Vineyard, "Edgartown Harbor" by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A dynamic 1950s sailing scene of Martha's Vineyard, "Edgartown Harbor" by notable Chicago Modern artist Francis Chapin. Image size: 14 3/4 x 19 3/4 inches; archivally matted to 2...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Lithograph, Paper
A Vibrant, 1950s Modern Landscape Oil of Martha
s Vineyard, "Tree in Tisbury"
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Vibrant, Colorful 1950s Mid-Century Modern Painting of Martha's Vineyard by Famed Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Titled "Tree in Tisbury", the painting depicts a ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Masonite, Oil
Untitled
By Francis Chapin
Located in Dallas, TX
Francis Chapin was one of the most celebrated painters in Chicago during his lifetime. When he was a young art student, Valley House founder, Donald Vogel, painted with "Chape" on th...
Category
1930s Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
A 1930s Drawing of a Woman Seated at a Lunch Counter by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1930s charcoal on paper drawing of a woman seated at a lunch counter by famed Chicago Modern artist, Francis Chapin. Artwork size: 14 x 10 3/4 inches; archivally matted to 20 x ...
Category
1930s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Charcoal
A Modern 1950s Color Lithograph of Martha
s Vineyard, "Edgartown Yacht Club"
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming, vibrant 1958 color lithograph of a bustling sailing harbor in Martha's Vineyard, "Edgartown Yacht Club" by notable Chicago Modern artist , Francis Chapin. Image size: 1...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Color, Lithograph
1950s Pastel Drawing of a Young Boy by Artist Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1950s pastel drawing of a young boy by artist Francis Chapin. Provenance: Estate of the artist. Image size: 16" x 15". Artwork is not matt...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Pastel, Board
A Charming, 1950s Light House Painting "Vineyard Light" by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming 1950s painting of a lighthouse in Martha's Vineyard, titled "Vineyard Light" by notable Chicago Modern artist, Francis Chapin. A colorful scene painted near the artist's ...
Category
1950s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Oil, Board
Untitled
By Francis Chapin
Located in Dallas, TX
Francis Chapin was one of the most celebrated painters in Chicago during his lifetime. When he was a young art student, Valley House founder, Donald Vogel, painted with "Chape" on th...
Category
1930s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
A Dynamic Modern Lithograph "Afternoon Race, Edgartown" by Artist Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A dynamic Modern lithograph of a sailing regatta in Martha's Vineyard, "Afternoon Race, Edgartown", by notable Chicago artist, Francis Chapin. Image size: 14 1/2" x 19 3/4". Archi...
Category
1960s American Modern Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Lithograph, Paper
Little River
By Francis Chapin
Located in Sheffield, MA
Francis Chapin
American 1899-1965
Little River
Oil on canvas
28 by 40 in. W/frame 38 by 50 in.
Dubbed the Dean of Chicago Painters in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Francis Chapin painte...
Category
1920s Post-Impressionist Francis Chapin Art
Materials
Oil
$12,500
Francis Chapin art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Francis Chapin art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Francis Chapin in paint, oil paint, masonite and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Francis Chapin art, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Frank Wilcox, Alfred Bendiner, and Harold Haydon. Francis Chapin art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $850 and tops out at $12,500, while the average work can sell for $1,800.





