Edward Custer Activty · Edward L. Custer was born on January 24, 1837 in Basel, Switzerland. In...
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Edward L. Custer was born on January 24, 1837 in Basel, Switzerland. In 1846, Custer came to the United States with his family, where he lived in Syracuse, New York. The family later moved to Manchester, New Hampshire so Custer’s father could study to become a Doctor. In his early years, Edward Custer worked as a decorative painter, making signs and advertisements for local Manchester businesses. At the age of 23, he traveled to Germany to study painting. He focused on the beauty of nature and fine-tuned his ability to translate it onto canvas. When he returned to Manchester in 1862, he established himself a very lucrative career as a fine artist. Setting up a studio in Boston, Massachusetts, Custer worked full-time as a portrait artist. Dignitaries and prominent citizens traveled from all corners to have their portraits done by Custer. His subjects marveled at both his attention to detail and his ability to capture their personality. His many subjects included future governors of New Hampshire Frederick Smyth, Moody Currier and Person C. Cheney. Custer also painted women and children, with a focus on their soft and delicate features. Edward Custer married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth A. Porter. Born in Vermont, she too had moved to Manchester with her family at the age of 10. Edward and Ruth enjoyed life in Boston while maintaining a close connection to their friends and families still in Manchester. They took several trips to Germany so Edward could continue to improve his art. Ruth died in 1878 from a long battle with tuberculosis. In 1879, Edward journeyed to Europe once more, where he met and married his second wife, Mary McLure of Cambridge, Massachusetts. In early January 1881, Edward died suddenly at the age of 44. Friends and family were shocked by the sudden loss of a true friend and a vibrant individual. In his obituary in the Boston Evening Transcript, it was stated, "To his friends Mr. Custer was more than the popular and successful painter; he was a man to be esteemed as a friend, to be loved. He was as simple as truth itself; prone to no artifice, vanity or envy…there are many homes where he will be missed like a brother. It is difficult to realize that we are no more to see his face, nor feel again the grasp of his honest hand." Edward L. Custer is buried at the Valley Cemetery in Manchester. Edward L. Custer
Transcript of Edward Custer Activty · Edward L. Custer was born on January 24, 1837 in Basel, Switzerland. In...
Edward L. Custer was born on January 24, 1837 in Basel, Switzerland. In 1846, Custer came to theUnited States with his family, where he lived in Syracuse, New York. The family later moved toManchester, New Hampshire so Custer’s father could study to become a Doctor. In his early years, Edward Custer worked as a decorative painter, making signs andadvertisements for local Manchester businesses. At the age of 23, he traveled to Germany to studypainting. He focused on the beauty of nature and fine-tuned his ability to translate it onto canvas.When he returned to Manchester in 1862, he established himself a very lucrative career as a fineartist. Setting up a studio in Boston, Massachusetts, Custer worked full-time as a portrait artist.Dignitaries and prominent citizens traveled from all corners to have their portraits done byCuster. His subjects marveled at both his attention to detail and his ability to capture theirpersonality. His many subjects included future governors of New Hampshire Frederick Smyth,Moody Currier and Person C. Cheney. Custer also painted women and children, with a focus ontheir soft and delicate features. Edward Custer married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth A. Porter. Born in Vermont, she too hadmoved to Manchester with her family at the age of 10. Edward and Ruth enjoyed life in Bostonwhile maintaining a close connection to their friends and families still in Manchester. They tookseveral trips to Germany so Edward could continue to improve his art. Ruth died in 1878 from along battle with tuberculosis. In 1879, Edward journeyed to Europe once more, where he met andmarried his second wife, Mary McLure of Cambridge, Massachusetts. In early January 1881, Edward died suddenly at the age of 44. Friends and family were shocked bythe sudden loss of a true friend and a vibrant individual. In his obituary in the Boston EveningTranscript, it was stated, "To his friends Mr. Custer was more than the popular and successfulpainter; he was a man to be esteemed as a friend, to be loved. He was as simple as truth itself;prone to no artifice, vanity or envy…there are many homes where he will be missed like a brother.It is difficult to realize that we are no more to see his face, nor feel again the grasp of his honesthand." Edward L. Custer is buried at the Valley Cemetery in Manchester.
Edward L. Custer
Custer was very skilled at making
portraits. He even painted self portraits
at various times in his life.
Use a mirror and see if you can draw a
portrait of yourself.
Use the guidelines for some helpful hints.
