Draft:Robert Allen Nelson

Robert Allen Nelson was an American artist known for his work in drawing, printmaking, painting, and sculpture.

Early life and education

Nelson was born on August 1, 1925, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After serving in the US Army/Air Force, Nelson studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he received his B.A.E. degree in 1950 and his M.A.E. degree in 1951. He then joined Millersville University while simultaneously teaching at PSA&D— which is now PCAD. In 1997, Millersville University conferred the rank of professor emeritus upon him.

Career

Robert A. Nelson developed a distinctive and very identifiable style that, at times, incorporated surrealism. Nelson exhibited extensively, including the prestigious MoMA with the notable exhibition "Recent Painting U.S.A.: The Figure”, held on May 23-August 26, 1962, the American Federation of the Arts, 50 Artists: 50 States, and hundreds of solo exhibitions in fine art galleries and institutions. In 1961, Nelson received the prestigious Purchase Prize in the 31st National Exhibition of Boston Printmakers and was awarded the Cézanne medal from the French government. (Robert A. Nelson - Artworks for Sale & More, n.d.)

Style and influence

Nelson’s art brought together figures from history, mythology, and literature, weaving them into imaginative scenes that transcended the boundaries of time and space. He often transformed animal and marine life into striking human forms, creating a world both familiar and fantastical.

Legacy

Dr. Nelson died on December 2, 2021, leaving behind an extensive body of work from an extremely prolific life that continues to influence the art community, collectors, future artists, and the thousands of students who studied under his tutelage. (Robert Allen Nelson Obituary, 2021)

Permanent collections

MoMA

Robert A. Nelson, American, born 1925

HALLEYVILLE. (Summer) 1934

Lithograph, printed in black

35 3/16 x 24 5'8” (89.4 x 62.5 cm)

38 9/16 x 28 1/8" (98 x 71.4 cm)

Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.

1474.1967

Robert A. Nelson, American, born 1925

BROOKE WATSON II. (Summer) 1984

Lithograph, printed in black

19 3/4 x 27 13/16” (50.2 x 70.6 cm)

22 1/4 x 30 1/8” (56.5 x 76.6 cm)

Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.

1475.1967

Robert A. Nelson, American, born 1925

COLFAX, (Summer) 1984

Lithograph, printed in black

26 15/16 x 19 9/16” (68.4 x 49.7 cm)

29 1/2 x 20 1/2 (75 x 52.1 cm)

Gift of Kleiner, Bell & Co.

1478.1967

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Robert A. Nelson, The Animal Image: Contemporary Objects and the Beast, 1981, offset lithograph poster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1983.58.5

Robert A. Nelson, Study for the Pushover, 1981, pencil and ink on plastic film, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1983.58.1

Robert A. Nelson, Study for the Pushover, 1981, pencil and colored pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1983.58.2

Robert A. Nelson, Study for the Pushover, 1981, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1983.58.3

Robert A. Nelson, Study for the Pushover, 1981, pencil and colored pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1983.58.4

National Gallery of Art

S. Decatur

Robert Allen Nelson, Tamarind Institute • 1964• Lithograph In Brown • 1984,34.409

Additional works can be found in the collections of:

The University of Texas, Texas, the Seattle Art Museum, Washington, Ohio University, Ohio, the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, the DeCordova Museum, Boston, the Brooklyn Museum, New York, the North Carolina Art Museum, North Carolina, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minnesota, the University of Minnesota Morris, Minnesota, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, the University of Maryland, Maryland, the Rourke Art Museum, Minnesota, Millersville University, Pennsylvania, George Mason University, Virginia, the University of Manitoba, Canada, the Plains Art Museum, North Dakota.

Death

Nelson died on December 2, 2021, in Lakeside, Oregon, from acute congestive heart failure exacerbated by Covid-19, which he contracted in October 2021. Nelson had just opened his final solo exhibit, “Animals II,” and was already working on his next annual exhibit slated for October 2022. He had completed one of his large collaged drawings in November 2021, for the 2022 exhibit, titled “Lord Bulldog Drummond,” and was working on another large collaged drawing. The morning of his death, he worked on that drawing, almost to completion, before he took a break to accompany his wife, Louise, two hours up the coast of Oregon to an appointment. They enjoyed a picnic along the coast on the long drive back. When they arrived home, he returned to his drawing, which he completed before dusk. Dr. Nelson always strived to draw by natural light in his home surrounded by the forests of Oregon. He completed his final drawing that evening but was still working out the details of the title, which were always expounded in the title plate. Therefore, the final artwork created is known as “Untitled”. Bob passed away in his wife’s arms a few hours later.

Robert Allen Nelson was interred at Zeppelin Farm, the family’s homestead.

https://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/robert-a-nelson-former-millersville-art-professor-and-accomplished-artist-dies-at-96/article_6f9f2e14-5859-11ec-8380-6f182f5f23ee.html