William Frederick Foster, A.N.A. (1882-1953)

California School

LOBSTER #3, circa 1946

(#8988)

26 x 42½ inches / unframed

Oil on canvas

Signed lower left: “Will Foster / ANA”

Provenance:          The Artist

                    Ardanelle McCool, niece of the artist

                    Thence by family descent

Illustrated:               Phyllis Settecase Barton,  William Frederick Foster, A.N.A.,

                    Portrait of a Painter, Richlaine Publishing, Los Angeles,

                    California, 1989, p. 347.

     Will Foster studied with Frank Duveneck (1848-1919), Joseph Henry Sharp (1859-1953), Robert Henri (1865-1929) and William Merritt Chase

(1849-1916). He taught at the Chicago Art Institute and became an Associate in the National Academy of Design.  Eventually Will settled in Los Angeles and was one of the most accomplished artists in the local school.  He was made an honorary member of the California Art Club and taught many student artists who went on to successful careers.