CECIL CALVERT BEALL (1892-1967)                                 Artist Images

Art Director for the National Democratic Party during President Roosevelt's administration Cecil Beall was a well-known illustrator and portrait artist during the 1930s and 40s. His works were regularly featured in Saturday Evening Post and Collier's.

He was born in Saratoga, Wyoming, and going a long way from his childhood home, he studied in New York at the Pratt Institute and Art Students League with George Bridgman. His early work was in a "bold poster style in watercolor marked by a strong pattern of light and shadow, which was favored by a number of illustrators" (208) of the Collier's magazine 'school'.

During World War II, Beall produced a popular series of Collier's cover illustrations depicting decorated World War II heroes, and at the end of the war, he was one of the invited few aboard the U.S.S. Missouri to record the surrender ceremony. President Harry Truman chose Beall's painting as the official painting of the event.

Memberships included the American Water Color Society, Hudson Valley Art Association, Salmagundi Club and Society of Illustrators, which gave Beall an exhibition Award of Excellence in 1961.

Source:
Walter Reed, The Illustrator in America, 1860-2000