Lionel Gilbert

Blue and Green Tablescape (WPA abstract still life painting c. 1960)

c. 1960

Lionel Gilbert was born in 1912 in Newark, New Jersey, where he studied at the Newark School of Fine & Industrial Art in their Saturday program for children. In 1933, he graduated from the Newark School of Fine & Industrial Art, Newark, New Jersey. He also studied in Paris at Academie de la Grande Chaumiere and privately with Salcia Bahnc and Suzanne Valadon. In 1937, he moved to Glencoe, Illinois. Between 1938–40, Gilbert became part of Chicago’s W.P.A. (Works Project Administration) program in its easel painting division. There, he worked as an easel painter and taught painting and drawing at the Community House Winnetka through the W.P.A.’s program. Through 1940–41, he studied with László Moholy-Nagy at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1942, he worked in Chicago as a professional photographer and illustrator for the Kling Studios. Between 1942–46, he relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, to work as an illustrator for Kling’s studio in Cleveland. In 1946, he moved to New York City as a freelance illustrator. His illustrations were published in numerous magazines including American Magazine, Women’s Home Companion, Family Circle and Collier’s. In 1955, he was appointed a United States Air Force artist and was sent to England to paint pictures depicting various aspects of Air Force life in and around air force bases in England. From 1955–57, Gilbert studied painting with Sam Adler at New York University. Between 1957–64, he moved to Toronto, Canada and was head illustrator for Art Associates. Gilbert moved to New York City and continued to work as an illustrator for Charles Cooper Studio between 1964–65. In 1965, he began painting full-time and giving private art lessons; ceased working as an illustrator. Gilbert became affiliated with Alonzo Gallery and had numerous solo and group exhibitions at the gallery from 1968 through the early 1980s.