Charles Codman

Charles Codman (1800 – September 11, 1842) was a noted American painter. Codman, who lived his entire life in Portland, Maine, was known for his landscape and marine paintings.[1]

This article is about the painter. For the author, see Charles R. Codman.

Charles Codman
Portrait of Charles Codman
Born	Charles Codman 1800 Portland, Maine, United States
Died	September 11, 1842 (aged 41-42) Portland, Maine, United States
Nationality	American
Patron(s)	James Deering

Bathing Pool c.1830, now in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Career

Codman was apprenticed to the ornamental painter, John Ritto Penniman, where he began as a decorative painter with no formal training. He is classified as a limner. He eventually produced more mature works of romanticized landscape views. One of his more important commissions was to paint five fireboards (decorative panels placed over hearths during the summertime) in the landscape style for the Portland mansion of shipbuilder James Deering. He also filled commissions for both portraiture and decorative arts.

In 1827 Codman received the first informed criticism of his work by eccentric and influential writer and critic John Neal. Through his connections Neal was likely most responsible for Codman becoming as established, patronized painter.[2]

Codman died on September 11, 1842 in Portland, Maine. He is buried in Eastern Cemetery.

Today, Codman's work can be found in various museums and institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Brooklyn Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

References

1. "Charles Codman (1800–1842)". White Mountain Art & Artists. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
2. Sears, Donald A. John Neal. Twayne Publishers, 1978, pp. 116-117.

External links

• Profile at Traditional Fine Arts Organization
• Exhibition at Portland Museum of Art