In Memoriam: Daniel E. Greene
Considered the preeminent pastelist in America, renowned artist Daniel E. Greene passed away on the evening of April 5, 2020. At 86 years old, he was still painting every day and teaching as often as possible. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Greene knew from a very early age that he wanted to be an artist. “I had a knack for drawing, and I knew since I was 5 years old what I would do with my life,” he recalled. Anxious to begin on that path, Greene quit school early and moved to Miami to start his art career as a sketch artist for tourists. Charging $5 and $10, Greene saved his money with the intention of moving to New York City and enrolling at The Art Students League. In an interview for this magazine, Greene once said, “The most significant event in my life was enrolling at the Art Students League and studying with Robert Brackman.” In Brackman’s class Greene learned the fundamentals of painting, and Brackman recognizing Greene’s talent, was particularly demanding of him. Brackman’s influence on Greene lasted a lifetime, and he eventually took over Brackman’s class at the League.
In fact, teaching would become a very important part of Greene’s life. Looking back on his long career as an educator, he remarked, “I have been teaching painting classes for over 55 years. For many years, I taught
Daniel E. Greene (1934-2020): Remembering the Artist and the Man
at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Design, both in New York. Starting in 1980, I began a heavy schedule of traveling all over the United States and Europe teaching portraiture workshops and also conducting summer classes in my studio in North Salem, New York. During my teaching time span, I have taught over 10,000 students. My books and instructional videos have been acquired by over 100,000 artists, continuing my belief that making available classical painting instruction passed from one generation to the next, is a worthwhile goal.”
It was that belief that led Greene to agree to serve on the board of the Portrait Society of America, whose mission is to promote portraiture through educational programing and instruction. Greene never missed a single board meeting and attended 20 of the 21 annual conferences. Chairman Ed Jonas says, “Both he and Wende have been actively involved in the Portrait Society since the organization’s founding, and we have relied upon him as a senior advisor, educator and trusted friend for the past 22 years. Dan was the consummate professional artist, always open to anyone seeking artistic advice or to study under his experienced tutorage. His body of work will stand as an example and valued part of our countries cultural heritage.”
Over his lifetime, Greene created many artworks that reflected his daily visual experience. He was often heard saying, “Paint what you know.” Twenty-five years of living and working in New York City provided endless inspiration for Greene, who created many paintings featuring the city’s elaborate subway mosaics, as well as works capturing the drama of antique auctions, and even festive carnival scenes, remembered from his childhood in Cincinnati. One of his most beloved and iconic works, a portrait of Robert Beverly Hale, is part of the collection of The Art Students League in New York. It was there that Wende Caparole, while inquiring
about classes, saw this masterful pastel and had a “life-changing, prophetic moment.” After learning that Greene had left the city, and was living and teaching in North Salem, New York, she immediately enrolled in his classes. A relationship based on a shared passion for art, developed into a deeper connection and 34 loving years of marriage. Today, his incredible works can be found in over 700 private and public collections around the world and they have garnered wide recognition with over 50 awards and honors. His memory and legacy will live on through his works and with the many students and artists who he has inspired.