George Tooker was an American painter and printmaker, who represented Social Realism, Surrealism and Magic Realism movements. Many of his works dealt with themes of isolation and despondency in contemporary urban life, and disillusionment with bureaucratic political systems.
Background
Ethnicity:
His mother was of English, German and Spanish-Cuban descent and his father was of English and French descent.
George Tooker was born on August 5, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States. He was a son of Angela Montejo (Roura) Tooker and George Clair Tooker. Also, George had a sister, Mary Tooker Graham.
Education
At the age of seven, Tooker took painting lessons from Malcolm Fraser, who was a professional artist. In 1938, the painter graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover. Later, he enrolled at Harvard University, graduating in 1942.
Upon graduating in 1942, Tooker enlisted in the Marine Corps. He entered Officer Candidate School, but was soon discharged for health reasons. Later, Tooker left for New York, where he attended Art Students League and studied under the tutelage of Reginald Marsh. There, George also met the painter Paul Cadmus, who introduced him to egg-tempera technique, which enforced a slower style of painting much more congenial to Tooker’s contemplative nature.
Also, George took lessons from Kenneth Hayes Miller and Harry Sternberg.
In 1946, Tooker took part in the exhibition "Fourteen Americans", held at the Museum of Modern Art. Some time later, in 1949, he left for Europe together with his friend Paul Cadmus. The painters visited museums, churches and historic sites in Italy and France.
In 1950, George took part in the exhibition, entitled "Symbolic Realism", which brought him increased recognition. The following year, in 1951, the painter held his solo exhibition at the Edwin Hewitt Gallery in New York City. In 1954, Tooker was commissioned to design the sets for Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera "The Saint of Bleecker Street".
In 1960, Tooker settled down in Hartland, Vermont, where he and his partner William Christopher built a house. Tooker returned to New York quite often, though, and served as a teacher at the Art Students League of New York during the period from 1965 to 1968.
In his later work, George explored more symbolic themes, drawn from biblical, mythological and classic literature. His interest in Renaissance painters, such as Paolo Uccello and Piero della Francesca, is particularly evident in works, such as "Embrace of Peace II" (1988) and "Dark Angel" (1996). Later in his lifetime, George also experimented with lithographs and relief prints. In 1998, the painter held his solo exhibition at DC Moore Gallery.