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Wilson, James Perry, 1889-1976

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: August 13, 1889 - 1976

Summary

After graduating from Columbia University in 1914 with a degree in architecture, James Perry Wilson worked as a draftsman for nearly twenty years until he lost his job during the Depression. He had no formal training and was largely a self-taught landscape painter with some early help from his family, who were artistically inclined. Wilson began his career at the American Museum of Natural History in 1934 as an apprentice under William R. Leigh, who was working on the background paintings for the Akeley Hall of African Mammals. Wilson developed many innovative methods and techniques in background painting, including a grid system for the transfer of an undistorted landscape onto the curved diorama background. By the time of his retirement in 1957, Wilson had painted thirty-eight diorama backgrounds at the American Museum of Natural History. His background paintings can also be found at the Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven, Connecticut, and the Boston Museum of Science. (source: Steve Quinn, Windows on Nature, 2006)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Exhibition Tools and Materials

 Collection
Identifier: Mem 308
Scope and Contents Since its inception in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History had exhibitions related to the natural world, human cultures, and the universe. The habitat dioramas are predominantly featured in the Museum, with the first appearing in the late 1800s. A combination of distinct methods and tools was used to create the background, foreground, and taxidermy specimens that compose these exhibits, which improved with the advancement of technology and new knowledge.The exhibition...
Dates: Usage: circa 1887-1990s

Filtered By

  • Subject: Taxidermy X