Haskell coffin biography
An Artist to Know: Haskell Coffin
William “Haskell” Coffin, produced some of the most admired American female portraiture of the 20th century. His beloved style and “Coffin Girls” could be found on calendars, sheet music, magazines, and more famously on posters. Works such as his WWI poster, Joan of Arc Saved France, showcase his particular style, figures, and clientele.
THE ARTIST AND HIS “COFFIN GIRLS”
William Henry “Haskell” Coffin (1878-1941) was a well-known American painter and illustrator in the early 20th century. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Coffin’s parents moved his family to Washington, D.C. while he was still very young. There, he studied at the Corcoran School of Art in the nation’s capital and had a particular affinity for portraiture. Afterwards, Coffin briefly returned to Charleston to earn some money painting portraits of high society women, showcasing his talent. In 1902, he set out for Paris to continue his studies and perfect his oil paintings.
Upon his return to the United States, Coffin quickly gained popularity. His works were exhibited in New York and he found advantageous employment in advertisement. Throughout his career, Coffin’s illustrations featured in magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, The Redbook, and Cosmopolitan. He soon became known for his depictions of beautiful women both in portraiture and advertisement. The so-called “Coffin Girl” portrayed the epitome of American beauty at the time. More than just their looks, the figures were often painted while making a small, elegant gesture. The minimal movement and graceful expressions added to the overall appeal.
Once World War I broke out, the U.S. government looked for talented artists to design war posters that were attractive, convincing, and drew the viewer’s eye. Coffin’s style and tasteful depictions of beautiful women made him a perfect candidate. Commissioned by the U.S. Treasury Department, Coffin’s Joan of Arc Saved France wonderful
William Haskell Coffin
American painter
William Haskell Coffin (October 21, 1878 – May 12, 1941) was an American painter and commercial artist. He flourished in the early decades of the twentieth century, and his work appeared on the covers of leading magazines in the United States. He also produced posters commissioned by the US government.
Biography
Coffin was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on October 21, 1878, the son of Julia (Haskell) and George Mathewes Coffin. When he was young, his family moved to Washington, DC, where he attended the Corcoran School of Art. After a brief stint back in Charleston, where he painted portraits of society ladies, he went to France in 1902 to complete his training as an artist.
Coffin specialized in images of women, which were reproduced on the covers of popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post,The American Magazine, Redbook, McCall's, Leslie's Illustrated, and the Pictorial Review. He was one of the most highly paid illustrators of his era.
Coffin was married twice. His second wife was actress Frances Starr; they eventually divorced.
Coffin was being treated for depression in an institution in St. Petersburg, Florida, when he leaped from a third-floor window and died on May 12, 1941.
World War I era poster
Saturday Evening Post cover, April 17, 1915
References
William Haskell Coffin artprints & posters
William Haskell Coffin : biography
William Haskell Coffin, known as well with the following name Haskell Coffin, is a americanposter artist born in 1878 in Charleston, United States and who died in 1941 in St. Petersburg, United States. William Haskell Coffin belonged to the propaganda art style. He mainly worked during the modern period in the 20 century.William Haskell Coffin : his main artworks
William Haskell Coffin is famous for the following art works : share in the victory... which are numerous illustrations of his favorite subject of work : history... In order to stare at his work in a museum or gallery, you need to go to private collection. The art work of William Haskell Coffin are, indeed, mainly kept in private collection. Muzéo offers high quality artprints & posters of the main artworks made by William Haskell Coffin to embellish your home or your office.Haskell Coffin Biography
Artist Haskel Coffin (1878-1941). Coffin was a versatile illustrator, gracing covers for several magazines, Redbook, The American, as well as two long-term stints at The Saturday Evening Post. His illustrations were famous as a portrayer of American beauty and the so-called "Coffin girl" could be found on note cards, sheet music, calendars, decorative boxes, fashion catalogs. However, Coffin is best known for his “Joan of Arc” poster that was created at the behest of the U.S. Treasury Department during WWI.
He apparently committed suicide by leaping from his third-floor hospital room on May 12th, 1941 (the anniversary of his divorce.) at the age of 63. It was an ugly ending for someone who brought so much beauty into the world.