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Daniel E. Greene

Daniel E. Greene was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1934, and knew he wanted to be an artist from a young age. At twelve, he was accepted to the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and at nineteen, he began studying at the Art Students League in New York under Robert Brackman. He dropped out of high school, sold pastel portraits on Miami Beach to save for art school, and was later drafted into the Army, but his dedication never wavered.

Daniel E. Greene Paintings Gallery

  • Realist portrait of a man in a black leather jacket beside subway mosaic tiles.
    Seated figure in dark jacket against glossy tiled subway wall.
    A realist portrait with smooth modeling of skin and leather. The figure sits before a wall of blue, green and gold mosaic tiles, with a map panel at the left edge. Soft, even light and crisp detail give the scene a quiet, documentary feel.
  • Woman in a gray jacket standing before a red and cream tiled subway wall.
    Figure in a gray suit beside bold red and cream subway tiles.
    A full-length figure set against a tiled station wall, with geometric red bands and a mosaic letter emblem above. The composition is centered and symmetrical, with clean lines and restrained color that let the tilework frame the subject.
  • Seated young woman in a white lace dress against a soft gray backdrop.
    Soft-toned portrait of a woman in a white lace dress.
    A seated portrait in soft, muted tones, with fine detail in the lace bodice and sleeves. The subject rests her hands in her lap beside a patterned chair. Gentle modeling and a warm, neutral background give the work a classical, intimate mood.
  • Crowd raising numbered paddles before a red circus poster and a man in plaid.
    Raised hands and paddles in front of a bold red poster.
    A lively interior scene with a crowd in the foreground holding numbered paddles. Behind them, a man in a plaid shirt displays a tall red circus poster. Strong reds and warm tones contrast with the muted grays of the room.
  • Older bearded man in a green shirt seated on a green chair against a dark wall.
    Seated man in green shirt, dark background, soft shadows.
    A seated three-quarter portrait with a deep, dark background and side lighting. Greens and warm browns dominate, and the sitter's lined face and white beard are rendered with careful detail. The pose feels relaxed and reflective.
  • Woman with dark hair in a dark jacket and white collar, tiled wall behind her.
    Portrait of a woman in a dark jacket beside blue and white tiles.
    A realist portrait with smooth skin tones and crisp highlights on the dark jacket. Blue and white mosaic tiles appear at the upper left, while the rest of the background falls into deep shadow. The subject looks off to the side with a calm, steady expression.
  • Woman in a white robe with a green belt beside a tiled subway column.
    Figure in white robe leaning against a glossy tiled pillar.
    A standing figure in crisp white fabric, shown in three-quarter view against a dark, glossy setting. Pale tiles climb a square column, with a mosaic band at the top. Strong value contrast and clean edges give the scene a sculptural, poised quality.
  • Two seated women in red and blue dresses in a green-walled room.
    Two women face each other on metal chairs, one in blue.
    Two seated women share a quiet, composed exchange in a room with pale green walls and a dark green floor. Their red and deep blue garments create a strong complementary contrast. A small framed image sits at the upper left, adding a layered, reflective note.
  • Still life of red onions, garlic and a copper pot on stacked pale blocks.
    Onions, garlic and copper cookware arranged in a tiered display.
    A tiered still life with red onions, garlic bulbs, a green cabbage and a copper pot, set on stacked pale blocks. The cool blue-violet backdrop makes the warm reds and coppers glow. Soft, even light and careful edges show a classical, studio approach.
  • Woman in a dark jacket and pearl necklaces before a pale brick wall.
    Profile portrait with pearls, set against pale brick and mosaic.
    A three-quarter portrait in deep, warm shadows, with pearls layered at the neck. A band of colorful mosaic runs across the top, above a grid of light gray bricks. The even tones and gentle highlights give the figure a calm, dignified presence.
  • Figure in a white hooded robe holding a blaster against a twilight landscape.
    Standing figure in white against dusky mountains and sky.
    A full-length figure in a pale hooded garment stands before a dusky blue sky and layered mountains. Small vehicles hover along the lower left. Smooth, polished rendering and a cool palette give the scene a cinematic, science-fiction tone.
  • Woman in a red jacket standing above seated people reading booklets.
    Seated audience with open booklets, one figure standing in red.
    A group portrait of an audience in a dimly lit room, with a standing figure in a bright red jacket anchoring the left. Booklets are held open by the seated listeners. Warm reds and deep olive backgrounds keep the focus on expressive faces and hands.
  • Man in a tuxedo gesturing at a podium beneath a lit board of auction bids.
    Tuxedoed figure at podium under a glowing bid display.
    A formal auction scene with a figure in a black tuxedo gesturing from a wooden podium. A lit grid of bid figures in different currencies fills the upper part of the panel. The strong symmetry and dark tones give the work a dramatic, theatrical structure.
  • Bearded man in a dark cap and round glasses, gray jacket, dark background.
    Close portrait of a bearded man in a gray jacket and cap.
    A head-and-shoulders portrait with soft, shadowed modeling and a dark, near-black background. Round wire glasses and a gold earring catch the light. Loose, confident brushwork in the jacket contrasts with the finer detail of the face.
  • Young woman with a dark bob, choker and red strap against a teal background.
    Shoulder portrait of a woman against soft teal tones.
    A close, three-quarter portrait with a cool teal ground and warm skin tones. Layered beads and a red strap add accents near the shoulder. The soft edges of the hair and gentle gradients give the image an intimate, painterly feel.
  • Older man in a dark coat and striped scarf before an ochre background.
    Standing figure with clasped hands on warm ochre ground.
    A full-length standing portrait with a dark coat and a multicolored knit scarf. The ochre background is textured with loose, worked passages, and a red patterned band runs across the top. Clasped hands and a frontal pose give the work a formal, steady stillness.
  • Young woman in a white lace dress seated in profile against a muted backdrop.
    Profile of a seated woman in lace, soft muted backdrop.
    A seated profile portrait with soft, chalky textures and fine detail in the lace bodice. Her hands rest together in her lap beside a patterned chair. The peach and gray backdrop is gently blended, giving the work a delicate, luminous mood.
  • Woman in a pale dress grips a subway pole beside a red-trimmed car door.
    Standing commuter with a bag, gripping a steel pole.
    A standing figure in a pale dress and blue top holds a silver pole inside a subway car. Gray and silver tones fill the car, with a single saturated red panel at right. The restrained palette and sharp verticals create a quiet, observational moment.
  • Older bearded man in glasses and gray jacket, colorful object at his side.
    Older man in glasses and gray jacket, warm muted backdrop.
    A head-and-shoulders portrait with a warm, muted brown background and a loose, painterly treatment. Round glasses and a white beard frame the face. A colorful, blurred shape at the left adds a flash of red and yellow against the earthy tones.
  • Woman in a red skirt standing among blue, yellow and red kites on an ochre background.
    Standing figure surrounded by bright kites and bold color.
    A full-length figure stands among large, angular kites in blue, red and yellow. The ochre background warms the scene, while the kites create layered, geometric shapes around the subject. Bold, flat color blocks and graphic outlines give the work a lively, decorative energy.
  • Profile head of a dark-haired man against a dark brown background.
    Profile head emerging from a dark, smudged background.
    A small profile study with loose, dark strokes forming a halo of hair behind the head. Light falls across the forehead and cheek, while the rest of the face sinks into shadow. The muted brown ground and economical handling give the piece a moody, intimate feel.
  • Man in a dark blazer and bow tie leaning on a flame-stitch armchair beside a lamp.
    Seated man with folded hands on a patterned, zigzag armchair.
    A seated portrait with a formal, quiet composition. The sitter rests folded hands on the back of a vividly patterned armchair in red, green and orange. Paneled wood, a blue-and-white lamp and stacked books fill the setting, with precise, realist detail throughout.
  • Woman in a long red ruffled gown standing beside an ornate mirror and console.
    Standing figure in red gown before a gilded mirror.
    A full-length figure in a flowing red gown stands on a polished red floor. An ornate, carved mirror and a dark console with lit candelabra reflect her image. Rich reds and gilded details create a warm, theatrical setting with a poised, formal stillness.
  • Profile of an elderly woman with silver wavy hair against a teal background.
    Profile drawing of an elderly woman in soft silver tones.
    A profile portrait built from loose, sketched lines and soft tonal shading. The silver hair is rendered with feathered strokes, and wrinkles are drawn with delicate precision. A muted teal ground keeps the attention on the sitter's features and the small jewelry at the neck.
  • Older woman with gray hair in a plum jacket against a deep green background.
    Seated woman in plum jacket, soft green backdrop.
    A three-quarter portrait with warm skin tones set against a deep green, softly brushed background. The plum jacket has textured, looping strokes, and the sitter's expression is gentle and open. Glowing highlights on the face and hair give the work a lively, approachable presence.
  • Man in a dark suit seated before a wall of checkered squares and round motifs.
    Seated figure among checkered panels and folk-style motifs.
    A seated figure in a dark suit sits in front of a richly patterned wall of yellow and black checks. Small round emblems, a red pot and a framed image are arranged across the surface like a folk-art display. The symmetrical layout and flat, saturated color give the scene a playful, graphic quality.
  • Crowded still life of small objects and framed images on a violet patterned wall.
    Assembled objects and framed pictures on a violet patterned ground.
    A densely arranged still life with framed images, lettered blocks and small ceramic or metal pieces. Violet damask-like patterning covers the wall, creating a rich, unified ground. Each object is rendered with crisp detail, and the grouping reads as a collected, curiosity-shelf display.
  • Two roses in clear glass vases on a swirled orange cloth before striped drapery.
    Pale and red roses on a table of bold, swirled fabric.
    A still life with a white rose and a red rose in clear glass vessels. The table cloth carries a dense, swirling pattern in burnt orange and brown, while horizontal bands of orange, yellow and green fill the background. The contrast of cool glass and warm, busy textures gives the work its energy.
  • Figure in a patterned jacket and jeans leaning on a tiled wall on a subway platform.
    Standing figure in bold jacket on a long, empty platform.
    A full-figure scene set on an empty subway platform with receding columns and fluorescent ceiling lights. The figure leans against a white tiled wall in a striped, patterned jacket and blue jeans. Perspective lines draw the eye down the platform, and the calm, deserted space gives the work a quiet, cinematic feel.
  • Yellow steel columns line an empty subway platform beside tiled walls.
    Yellow columns and a track-side platform in dim light.
    A deserted platform view with bold yellow columns in the foreground and receding lines toward the track. Patterned tiles and a dim, warm glow sit along the wall to the left. Strong diagonals and the contrast of yellow against dark shadows give the scene a crisp, graphic character.
  • Escalator rising between tiled walls beneath a white sign with a directional arrow.
    Escalator climbing through a tiled passage, bold directional sign.
    A tall, vertical view of an escalator rising through a tiled passage. A bold black and white directional sign crosses the top of the composition. Clean, sharp lines and cool blue shadows make the staircase feel precise and architectural.
  • Man in a light coat and cap beside a round bin on a platform with blue columns.
    Figure in pale coat by round bin, blue columns behind.
    A figure in a pale trench coat and cap stands at the edge of a platform, one arm resting near a large round brown receptacle. Vertical blue columns and striped floor lines recede into the background. Warm, saturated light against cool shadows gives the scene a documentary, mid-century feel.
  • Stairway with a metal handrail descending between white tiled walls.
    Staircase descending past pale tiles and a dark border.
    A stairway descends beside a wall of glossy white tiles edged with a dark decorative band. A thin metal handrail guides the eye down into shadow. Soft, cool light and reflective floor surfaces give the scene a clean, quiet tone.
  • Mosaic tile numeral 59 above a red and white graffiti panel.
    Bold tiled numeral set into a band of mosaic.
    A close, framed view of a mosaic band with a bold white numeral set into dark tile. Warm brown mosaic stretches to either side, above a row of white bricks. Below, a red, white and black painted panel adds a burst of energy and contrast.
  • Man in a dark suit at a lectern while a woman talks on a telephone at a desk.
    Standing figure at a lectern beside a seated woman on the phone.
    An elegant interior with dark wood furniture and gilded frames lining the walls. A man in a dark suit stands above, gesturing, while a woman in dark clothing sits at a desk with a telephone receiver. Deep browns and warm highlights create a formal, hushed atmosphere.
  • Man in a blue shirt raises a decorated bowl beside a man pointing from a podium.
    Raised decorative bowl among richly patterned wall of objects.
    Two figures stand in a crowded, richly patterned room, one raising a painted bowl overhead while the other points from a wooden podium. Dense wall decoration in yellow, blue and red surrounds them. The ornate chair in the foreground and busy surfaces give the work a vivid, layered energy.
  • Young girl with a pink hair bow in a striped sweater against a rust background.
    Frontal portrait of a girl on a warm rust-toned ground.
    A frontal portrait with a warm, rust-brown backdrop and soft, even light. Horizontal blue and black stripes on the sweater add rhythm beneath the calm, direct gaze. Thin brushwork in the hair and fabric gives the image a fresh, unfussy quality.
  • Man in a brown coat with fur collar holding a red book before a mottled background.
    Figure in brown coat clutching a red book, textured ground.
    A three-quarter portrait with thick, layered brushwork and a textured, mottled backdrop. The brown coat and fur collar contrast with the small patch of red held against the chest. Flecks of red and gray across the background add movement and depth.
  • Man in a white shirt seated in profile on a blue chair before weathered wooden planks.
    Seated figure in white shirt, weathered planks and red exit sign.
    A seated figure in profile on a blue chair with an orange wooden frame, set against a wall of weathered, pale boards. A red exit sign hangs at the upper left, and a few fittings and cables break up the planks. The realist detail and muted palette give the scene a plain, honest character.
  • Man in a gray shirt holds up a red patterned rug with another figure behind him.
    Hands lifting a rich red rug against a shadowed background.
    Two figures against a dark, shadowed ground. The foreground man holds a red and orange patterned rug with its geometric medallions and floral borders toward the viewer. The rug's saturated tones glow in the dim setting, creating a strong focal point.
  • Man in a blue plaid jacket seated before a tiled wall with a station name sign.
    Seated figure in plaid jacket against red bench and tiled wall.
    A seated figure in a blue and black plaid jacket sits on a red-painted bench beneath a band of mosaic lettering. Rows of white tile form the background, with the dark jacket anchoring the lower center. The saturated reds and blues set against pale tile give the scene a bold, graphic punch.
  • Woman in a green patterned dress standing before red tiles and a station sign.
    Standing figure in green dress against bold red tiles.
    A frontal, centered figure in a patterned green-and-pink dress stands before a wall of red tiles. A white station sign with black lettering and a directional arrow sits above her, with a pale band of tile below. The saturated red and green make a bold, symmetrical composition.
  • Man in a teal apron holds a blue patterned plate before a red and blue rug.
    Figure in teal apron holding a plate before a patterned rug.
    A standing figure in a teal apron holds a blue and white decorated plate at waist height. A large rug with red, blue and cream medallions fills the background. The cool teal set against warm, dense pattern creates a lively, carefully balanced image.
  • Audience of seated and standing listeners in a muted room, one man raising a pencil.
    Attentive listeners in suits and a red jacket, muted wall behind.
    A group of attentive listeners fills the composition, with figures seated in rows and standing at the edges. A man at left lifts a pencil while others look upward. The warm brown wall and muted suits keep the focus on expressions, hands and small details of paper.
  • Man in a white shirt with red trim seated before a gold-toned background.
    Seated man in white tee against a gilded, textured ground.
    A seated figure in a white T-shirt with red detailing, framed by a red border. The gold-toned ground has a worked, textured surface reminiscent of early panel painting. Warm skin tones and the bright shirt stand out clearly against the metallic backdrop.
  • Woman in a white sweater and orange bag walking past a blue station sign.
    Walking figure in white with orange bag, glossy tile behind.
    A young woman walks across the frame in a white sweater and carries a large orange bag on her shoulder. Behind her, pale tiles surround an ornate blue sign with white lettering. The warm bag and cool tile create a crisp contrast, and her glance to the side adds motion.
  • Profile of a woman in a teal headscarf with silver ornaments before a tiled wall.
    Side view of figure in teal scarf, mosaic and white tile behind.
    A side-profile figure wears a turquoise headscarf hung with small silver discs. Behind her, a band of geometric mosaic sits above pale tiles. The cool teal against warm, dark garments and muted tile gives the portrait a rich, decorative balance.
  • Three nude figures on a wooden floor, one balancing a rod with a red ball.
    Three standing figures linked by a horizontal rod, teal wall.
    Three standing figures are arranged across a wood-plank floor, linked by a thin rod that rests on their hands. A small red ball sits on the rod near the center. The teal-green wall and warm skin tones create a calm, classical composition with measured spacing.
  • Two seated figures in a room with blue-and-white jugs and bottles on the floor.
    Two seated figures with jugs and bottles on a gray floor.
    Two figures sit facing each other on wooden chairs in a quiet interior. A decorative tile band runs along the top of the blue-gray wall. Blue-and-white jugs, small bottles and a basket sit on the floor, adding crisp, bright accents to the restrained palette.

Six Decades of Teaching Pastel and Oil Painting

Greene’s career spanned over six decades, during which he became one of America’s most prominent realist artists. He taught over 10,000 students at prestigious institutions like the Art Students League and the National Academy of Design. He also authored two highly regarded books, Pastel and The Art of Pastel, which were published in multiple languages.

Portraits of Eleanor Roosevelt, Ayn Rand and Robert B. Hale

Highly regarded as a portrait artist, Greene’s subjects included First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, author Ayn Rand, astronaut Walter Schirra, and media mogul William Randolph Hearst. His portrait of Robert B. Hale is widely considered the best pastel of the 20th century. Greene captured not just the likeness but the inner life and contemplation of his subjects, making each portrait a profound psychological study.

“I had started a portrait of Hale seated and did a pose where he held his beautiful hands up above his chest, but he was so weak and frail he kept dropping them to his lap.”

The Subway Series and Scenes of New York

Beyond his portraits, Greene created remarkable series that captured the spirit of New York City. His Subway series depicted the underground world of commuters and was featured in major exhibitions, including at the New York Transit Museum. He also painted series on auction houses and drinking glasses, showcasing his versatility and keen observational eye.

Pastel Hall of Fame Honors and Lasting Legacy

Greene’s talent was recognized with numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. In 1983, he became the first living artist inducted into the Pastel Hall of Fame. He received the John Singer Sargent Award for lifetime excellence in portraiture and gold medals from both the Portrait Society of America and the Salmagundi Club.

Daniel E. Greene passed away on April 5, 2020, at his home in North Salem, New York. His remarkable body of work continues to inspire and influence artists around the world. He was not just a painter of portraits but a chronicler of his time, capturing the faces and spaces that defined an era with skill, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to realism.

Daniel E. Greene FAQs

Q: What are the defining characteristics of Daniel E. Greene’s artistic legacy?
A: Greene’s legacy is defined by his mastery of pastel and oil painting, his profound influence as a teacher, and his extensive body of portrait work that includes figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and Robert B. Hale. He pioneered figurative realism in America, created acclaimed series like his Subway paintings, and received numerous honors including being the first living artist inducted into the Pastel Hall of Fame. His works are held in over 700 public and private collections, including the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Daniel kept a website of his own, where you can still see his portraits, his Subway paintings, and the pastel lessons he loved to share, at danielgreeneartist.com.

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