F. M. Coover was perhaps the youngest artist that created professional quality art, all before he was 17 years of age. Only three years ago, the Smithsonian, which is known for its extensive research and accurate data, had no clue who F M Coover was and no knowledge of his art.
F M Coover was born Charles H. Coover in Remington, Indiana in 1887. As an illustrator, he was quite talented at a very young age. Although he was born five years after N C Wyeth, young Coover was creating near-professional quality drawings before Wyeth. He advertised as a sign-painter as well, also at the very young age of 11. His drawings and paintings, very limited in number, are in high demand for several reasons. Other than his being one of the youngest professional-quality artists known, his drawings are are extremely well done compared to any such art of his time. The drawings and paintings he left for us are very limited in number, only about 50 or so known to exist, mainly since he produced all of them over the short span of 7 years. To see this lad's art is most enjoyable and to actually own one is a rare delight. He was proficient in many types of script and lettering and had a good eye for design. When Harper's Bazaar was one of the most popular magazines, there were many famous illustrators in demand. Before Andy Warhol there was a prolific student of the arts working dilligently to perfect his pen and ink style. The drawings shown on this site were all done by that young artist, F M Coover. When you view them, remember that Coover created nearly every illustration here between the age of 10 and 16, most of them while he was 11 and 12 years of age. He could have been just as accomplished as Andy Warhol in time. He was surely just as dedicated and as talented.
Things do not always work out the way we would like in this world of ours.
Coover's art not only appeals to those who collect fine art, but also to those who collect novel art. In a way, his art has some of the appeal as that by Grandma Moses, also very unique because of her age. Coover's work is much more refined, but many collectors of caricature, advertising, and graphic art, show interest in the work by F M Coover. As Mendelssohn created very professional works of music at a very early age, young Charles H. (F M) Coover did so with art. Both lads left us with extraordinary treasures to cherish, treasures that reflect the motifs and styles of their time in history.
Enjoy these scans of F M Coover's work. Most are now in the collections of those who collect primarily Indiana art, with some exceptions. For those who love art and love children, these should be a special treat for you. Note the beautiful line quality, the detail, the precision of these ink drawings and remember the steady and disciplined hand that made them was that of a young boy. I especially love the tenderness and the design of Coover's small portrait of the child. The detail of the eyes and the teeth, so delicate. The love and the tenderness in the expression, a beautiful child's portrait rendered by another beautiful child of 12!
This drawing, with the character of a block print, is a part of a collection in Paris, France.
F M Coover's paintings are listed in the archives of the Smithsonian as well. Searches of various art-information sites and art forums, even those as far away as Australia, may well include examples of F M Coover's art.
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