Background
Hurd, Peter was born on February 22, 1904 in Roswell, New Mexico, United States. Son of Harold and Lucy Chew (Knight) Hurd.
Hurd, Peter was born on February 22, 1904 in Roswell, New Mexico, United States. Son of Harold and Lucy Chew (Knight) Hurd.
Student, United States Military Academy, 1921-1923; student, Haverford College, 1923-1924; student, Pennsylvania Academy Fine Arts, and under North Carolina Wyeth, 1924-1926; D. Fine Arts, Technological College Doctor of Laws, New Mexico State University, 1968.
Intending to pursue a military career, in 1921 Hurd entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New New York After two years, however, he resigned from the Academy to enroll at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. Hurd soon began studying under the illustrator North. C. Wyeth.
He worked as Wyeth"s assistant at Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, for a number of years.
Hurd was a war correspondent for during World World War World War II In 1941 he was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member and became a full Academician in 1942. Hurd painted about one fresco per week over a two-year period, with depictions of pioneers and influential leaders of West Texas.
One panel, entitled "The Chroniclers", depicts historian J. Evetts Haley, William Curry Holden, Tom Lea, and A. Lomax gathered around a blazing campfire. Hurd himself is also in the scene, sketchpad in hand.
In 1957, he collaborated with Folkways Records and released his album, Spanish Folk Songs of New Mexico, a collection of ranching songs.
By 1959, his recognition had spread, and he was appointed by President Eisenhower to the United States. Commission of Fine Arts, serving until 1963. In 1967, he painted what would have been Lyndon B. son"s official portrait. President son only allowed Hurd one sitting, during which time son fell asleep.
Hurd hence had to use photographs of son to finish the painting. son did not like his portrait, declaring it "the ugliest thing I ever saw".
The painting is now part of the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, in the Smithsonian Institution. Hurd"s Time Magazine cover portrait of Charles C. Tillinghast, Junior., was featured in a National Portrait Gallery exhibit of the magazine"s cover art that opened in 1969.
Hurd died on Juky 9, 1984 in Roswell, New Mexico at the age of 80.
With United States Army Air Force, 1942, England. United States Air Transport Command S. American, Africa, India, Arabia and Italy in 1944 as war correspondent for Life magazine. Member Association Graduates United States Military Academy, Wilmington Society Fine Arts, American Watercolor Society Clubs: Century Association (New York City).
Married Henriette Wyeth, June 29, 1929. Children: Peter Wyeth, Carol (Mistress Peter W. Rogers), Michael.