Background
Gittins was born in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England.
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Alvin Gittens
Edit ProfileEducation
He attended art school in London. He first came to the United States in 1946 and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1947.
Career
He has been described as "one of greatest portrait artists ever". From 1956 to 1962 Gittins was head of the University of Utah art department. Gittins painted 89 portraits of people connected with the University of Utah and at least one of his portraits hangs in almost every campus building.
He focused heavily on the detail of human figures and sought to bring out his subjects feelings in his paintings.
As a professor, Gittins was noted for insisting on intensive studies of anatomy and perspective at a time when most art programs focused on expressionist art Among the many people Gittins painted portraits of were David O. McKay, Henry Eyring, Maurice Abravanel and Haile Selassie I. However, not all of Gittins" subjects were living.
He also painted a portrait of Joseph Smith. Gittins" work was exhibited at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the Royal Society of British Painters in London as well as at Portraits, Incorporated. in New York City.
Gittins married Gwendolen Ellis and they had four children: Jonathan, Simon, Sarah and Christopher.
Among Gittins" students were William F. Whitaker, Editor Maryon, Randall Lake, Shauna Cook Clinger, Greg Hull, Steven Heward, Earl Jones, Danny Baxter and Gary Lee Price.
Membership
He was appointed a member of the University of Utah art faculty in 1947.
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Born
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Died
March 7, 1981 (aged 59) -
Nationality
English