Will H. Low

Will Hicok Low (May 31, 1853 – November 27, 1932) or Will Hicock Low was an American artist, muralist, and writer on art.

Early life

Low was born in Albany, New York. In 1873 he entered the atelier of Jean-Léon Gérôme in the École des Beaux Arts at Paris, subsequently joining the classes of Carolus-Duran, with whom he remained until 1877. Lengthy and painterly described stays in Barbizon and Montigny-sur-Loing. Returning to New York, he became a member of the Society of American Artists in 1878 and of the National Academy of Design in 1890. His pictures of New England types, and illustrations of John Keats, brought him into prominence.

Career

Low executed panels and medallions for the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, a panel for the Essex County Court House in Newark, New Jersey as well as numerous panels for private residences and stained glass windows for various churches, including St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, Newark.

He was an instructor in the schools of Cooper Union, New York, during 1882 to 1885, and in the school of the National Academy of Design from 1889 to 1892. Low, who is known to a wider circle as the close friend of R. L. Stevenson, published some reminiscences, A Chronicle of Friendships, 1873-1900 (1908). The obverse of the United States silver certificate History Instructing Youth was his work. His design was used for the obverse of the bill and. The engraving for the obverse of the one-dollar History Instructing Youth note was done by Charles Schlecht. In 1896 he began working for American artist John La Farge. He spent two years in New York working for La Farge decorating buildings.