Gerard Curtis Delano
Gerard Curtis Delano, often credited as Jerry Delano, (April 14, 1890 – 1972) was a painter and illustrator of the American west. Delano was born in Marion, Massachusetts. He served in the US Navy in the First World War, then worked on a ranch in Colorado, before moving to New York City to study art.
Gerard Curtis Delano
- Name
- Gerard Curtis Delano
- Born
- 14 April 1890
- Birthplace
- Marion, Massachusetts
- Died
- 1972
- Known for
- Painting
- Nationality
- United States
- Occupation
- painter · illustrator · artist
- Fields
- painting · dust jacket
- Education
- Grand Central School of Art
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Documentary summary
Gerard Curtis Delano, often credited as Jerry Delano, (April 14, 1890 – 1972) was a painter and illustrator of the American west. Delano was born in Marion, Massachusetts. He served in the US Navy in the First World War, then worked on a ranch in Colorado, before moving to New York City to study art.
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In this article
Biography
Biography
For many years he lived and painted in Denver, Colorado and Summit County, Colorado.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Gerard Curtis Delano • Born — 14 April 1890 • Birthplace — Marion, Massachusetts • Died — 1972 • Known for — Painting
Career
Career
In his early artistic years, Delano: • Illustrated magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Collier's Weekly and Western Stories • Painted scenes for calendar companies • Drew comic illustrations for magazines both in the US, such as Life and Puck, as well as Punch in Britain. During his later years, his painting focused on depictions of Navajo people, red sandstone canyons, and wildlife. His style shows some Cubist influences.
The saguaro cactus as a symbol of the West
The saguaro cactus as a symbol of the West
In 1940, Delano painted Navajo Shepherdess, placed in Monument Valley. In it he placed a saguaro cactus, although it was well outside the naturally occurring area for this plant. It is believed to be the first illustrative use of the plant to symbolize the American West, which has become almost ubiquitous.
Education
Education
• Art Students League of New York • Grand Central School of Art, New York
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 29 September 2026.
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