author
John La Farge
1835–1910
An inventive American artist who moved easily between painting, murals, stained glass, and writing, he helped shape the look of late 19th-century American art. His books and travel writing add another side to a career full of curiosity and experiment.
2 Audiobooks
An Artist's Letters from Japan
by John La Farge
Reminiscences of the South Seas
by John La Farge
About the author
Born in New York City on March 31, 1835, and raised in a cultured French American family, John La Farge first studied law before turning seriously to art. A short period in Europe, including time in the orbit of the French painter Thomas Couture, helped set him on his path.
He became known as one of the most versatile American artists of his time: a painter, muralist, illustrator, interior designer, and especially an innovator in stained glass. His work ranged from religious windows and large decorative projects to landscapes and figure paintings, and he earned a reputation for rich color and a willingness to experiment.
La Farge also wrote and lectured about art, and his travels in Asia and the South Pacific fed both his images and his books. He died in Providence, Rhode Island, on November 14, 1910, leaving behind a body of work that bridges fine art, design, and thoughtful observation of the wider world.