Chris Moore on Chandler Moore, WWII Painter

Chandler Moore (1927 - 1979) was a brilliant and eccentric artist who
painted with photorealistic attention to detail, often using a magnifying glass and a brush of one or two hairs thickness. The result was impossibly detailed renderings of even the smallest mechanical object or natural feature. His large seascapes capture beautifully the sense of intricate movement and interaction between wind and waves. One of Moore's works entitled Overlord, the code name for the operation begun on June 6, 1944 with the Normandy Landing, was presented to President Eisenhower on the 10th anniversary of D-Day, and now hangs in the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene, Kansas.

During the Second World War, Moore served in the Merchant Marine patrolling the US eastern coast. He also served as a corporal with the U.S. Army 9th Infantry Division in the Korean War.

This mural of the Battle of Britain by maritime artist Chandler Moore, was painted in 1972 on a wall of the Lampost Tavern, a popular watering hole in Oak Bluffs. Dismantled in the late 80's, the mural has not been on view for over twenty years.

Chandler Moore was raised in Irvington, New York. His family spent summers on the Vineyard, first at West Chop and later at Seven Gates Farm in West Tisbury. He became a full time Vineyard resident in 1950. Dressed always in his trademark khaki with pith helmet and military jacket, Moore was a local legend, much loved and respected for his brilliance, artistic skill and loyalty as a friend.

Listen to Chandler Moore's nephew, Chris Moore, speak about Chandler Moore, his painting and on being his nephew.

Get the complete interview and more in "Those Who Serve: Martha's Vineyard and WWII" available for purchase at www.mvmuseum.org/shop-books.php.

Interviewed by Linsey Lee, Oral History Curator of the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

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People & Blogs

Tags:

• World War II
• art
• Martha's Vineyard
• Painting
• Photorealism
• wwii
• Drawing