Michael Gnatek (1934-2006) was born in Hadley, Mass., and had an early interest in art. He studied painting at Yale University and in the Marine Corps, where he was a combat artist and portraitist for the weekly Sunset Parade at Washington's Marine Barracks. He worked in advertising for many years, first with department stores and later at his own agency while polishing a talent for painting portraits of historical figures.
He became a specialist in portraits of military figures and Native Americans and found his work in demand by historical societies, private collectors and commercial galleries nationwide. In 1975, he did four murals for the National Air and Space Museum. He also painted a mural on the history of the telephone for Disney World in Florida. The family of Gen. George S. Patton commissioned a portrait of the general, and Mr. Gnatek's other subjects included Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, George Armstrong Custer, Sitting Bull, mountain men and buffalo soldiers of the 19th century.
He became a specialist in portraits of military figures and Native Americans and found his work in demand by historical societies, private collectors and commercial galleries nationwide. In 1975, he did four murals for the National Air and Space Museum. He also painted a mural on the history of the telephone for Disney World in Florida. The family of Gen. George S. Patton commissioned a portrait of the general, and Mr. Gnatek's other subjects included Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, George Armstrong Custer, Sitting Bull, mountain men and buffalo soldiers of the 19th century.
The Homecoming
|
Napoleon
|
