Background

Zogbaum was born on August 28, 1849 in Charleston, South Carolina, the son of Ferdinand and Mary B. (Fairchild) Zogbaum. He moved to New York just before or just after the outbreak of the Civil War. His father and uncle were partners in the New York firm of Zogbaum & Fairchild, manufacturers of musical instruments.

Education

Zogbaum studied at the University of Heidelberg, at the Art Students' League of New York (1878-1879), and in Paris under Léon Bonnat (1880-1882).

Career

On his return to America, Zogbaum settled in New York and devoted himself to the delineation of army and navy life. In pursuit of material of this nature he traveled widely by sea and land, observing the actual operations of the naval and military forces, which he pictured with spirit and vivid realism. In his historic essays he dealt with such themes as "Old Ironsides, " with her crew clearing ship for action, the Vandalia during the terrific hurricane in Samoa, the attack of the Merrimac on the Cumberland in Hampton Roads, and the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. From his own observation on the scene of action, he delineated the stirring episodes of the Spanish-American War in Puerto Rico, in the Caribbean, and along the Cuban coast. Many of these subjects were used for illustrations in books and magazines. Over forty of his pictures were shown in an exhibition at the Avery Galleries, New York, in the winter of 1899. In addition to his oil paintings, water colors, and illustrations, he produced a number of mural decorations of a historic and patriotic character, among them the "First Minnesota Regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg"; the "Battle of Lake Erie"; and "Hail and Farewell". Zogbaum also painted a few portraits, including those of Rear Admiral William Rogers Taylor, Dr. Henry Loomis Nelson, and Dr. St. Clair Smith. The historic value of his work is notable, and his expression of strenuous action and the spirit of combat is not the least of his merits as an artist. Zogbaum was the author of three books: Horse, Foot, and Dragoons (1888), a series of sketches of army life; "All Hands" (1897); and The Junior Officer of the Watch (1908). He contributed to Scribner's Magazine (January 1915) a copiously illustrated article, "War and the Artist, " in which, however, he made only incidental allusions to his own work. He died in New York at the age of seventy-six, survived by his widow, three sons, and a daughter.

Achievements

• Zogbaum is primarily known as an illustrator for late 19th century news magazines. His works were regularly featured in Harper’s Weekly magazine.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Horse, Foot, and Dragoons: Sketches of Army Life at Home and Abroad (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from Horse, Foot, and Dragoons: Sketches of Army ...)

  • The Junior Officer of the Watch (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from The Junior Officer of the Watch I have perm...)

  • From sail to Saratoga;: A naval autobiography

    (An autobiography of a man who went from sailing ships to ...)

  • From Port to Port with The White Squadron. An original article from Scribner's Monthly, 1890.
  • With Yankee Cruisers in French Harbors (Toulon.) An original article from Scribner's Monthly, 1890.
  • With Uncle Sam's Blue Jackets Afloat. An original article from Scribner's Monthly, 1890.

Connections

In September 1878 Zogbaum married Mary F. Lockwood.

Father:

Ferdinand Zogbaum

Mother:

Mary B. Fairchild

Grandson:

Wilfrid Zogbaum

He was a well-respected painter and sculptor who had teaching stints in several universities, including the University of California at Berkeley.

Son:

Rufus F. Zogbaum, Jr.