Thorton Utz

Utz, Photo

Utz (1914 -1999). was a trustee of the Ringling School of Art. Chaired the Ringling School of Art’s Advisory Board and served as Member of the Board of Ringling Museum’s Asolo State Theater and a Program Chairman for the Ringling School Library Association.






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Clouds

"Clouds" by Thornton Utz 1984,

Oil on Panel, Image 48" x 30" Framed 52" x 34"

 

Résumé

Utz studied at the American Academy of Arts in Chicago and later taught at the Art Institute of Chicago. After teaching, he spent several years as a commercial artist and illustrator. His assignments were seen in most leading American magazines and in many European ones as well. His illustration credits also include 50 commissions for Saturday Evening Post. Eventually, Utz dedicated himself full time to working in the fine arts, which for him included portraiture and sculpture.


Utz was a leading contemporary painter of nudes and portraits, he preserved this tradition with spontaneity and joy. In addition to classic figure painting, he tackled the areas of portraiture, sculpture, stained glass and architecture as well. Utz saw the nude, however, as an endless challenge. His paintings, reminiscent of Degas' coloration and Renoir's brushwork, are proof of his artistic triumphs.


International fame came with portraits of Princess Grace of Monaco, President Jimmy Carter. He also painted such luminaries as the Brazilian ambassador.


Thorton and his family lived in a home he designed and built on Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida