Ralph Wolfe Cowan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralph Wolfe Cowan
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Ralph Cowan at a charity event, 1999.
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| Born | December 16, 1931 Phoebus, Virginia, U.S.
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| Died | September 4, 2018 (aged 86) West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Portrait Painting |
| Spouse(s) |
Judith Page Timson
(m. 1962; div. 1964) |
Ralph Wolfe Cowan (December 16, 1931 – September 4, 2018) was a famous American portrait artist. He was known for painting many important people. These included kings, presidents, and even famous singers. His art is displayed in many places around the world.
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About Ralph Wolfe Cowan
Ralph Cowan was born in 1931 in Phoebus, Virginia, USA. His friends often called him "RW". He served in the United States Army as a paratrooper from 1950 to 1953.
Cowan painted for over 70 years. His career started in the 1940s in New York City. He continued painting until he passed away in 2018. His life and work were even featured in a movie. It was a documentary called The Last Old Master in 2015. Cowan died in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Famous Portraits by Cowan
Ralph Cowan painted many well-known people. He had a special connection with the Royal Family of Monaco. He first painted Princess Grace in 1956.
World Leaders
Cowan painted several important leaders from around the world. These included the Sultan of Brunei and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. He also painted King Hassan II of Morocco. Another famous leader he painted was Shaikh Zayed of the United Arab Emirates. He even painted Mikhail Gorbachev, a leader from Russia.
U.S. Presidents
Ralph Cowan also painted several U.S. Presidents. His portraits include Reagan, Carter, and Johnson. He also painted Kennedy and Trump.
Celebrities and Icons
Beyond leaders, Cowan painted many famous celebrities. He created portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis. He also painted Nancy Sinatra and Steve Wynn.
One of his most famous works is the portrait of Elvis Presley. Ralph Cowan was the only artist Elvis officially hired. This special portrait is displayed at Graceland. Graceland is Elvis Presley's home. Over 23 million visitors have seen the painting there since 1982. Elvis's portrait was also part of an art show. It was shown at the National Portrait Gallery in 2010. The exhibition was called "One Life: Echoes of Elvis."
