Lowell Nesbitt
Lowell Blair Nesbitt (1933–1993) was a prolific American painter, draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor known for his technically precise and diverse body of work. While often associated with Photorealism, Nesbitt defied categorization, blending realism with surreal and conceptual elements. His subjects ranged from botanical studies and urban architecture to x-ray figures, computer components, and animals, making him one of the most versatile visual artists of his time.
Born in Towson, Maryland, Nesbitt earned his BFA from the Tyler School of Art and studied on fellowship at the Royal College of Art in London. After serving in the U.S. Army, he moved to Washington, D.C., later settling in New York City to pursue a full-time art career.
Nesbitt gained national attention following his 1964 debut at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, transitioning from abstraction to realism under the encouragement of artist Robert Indiana. His meticulously rendered floral paintings led to a career-defining moment in 1980 when the United States Postal Service issued four stamps based on his artwork. He also served as the official artist for NASA’s Apollo 9 and Apollo 13 missions, and in 1976, completed what was then the largest mural in the U.S. for the Navy's administration building on Treasure Island.
Nesbitt passed away in his New York studio in 1993, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, scale, and visual …
Lowell Blair Nesbitt (1933–1993) was a prolific American painter, draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor known for his technically precise and diverse body of work. While often associated with Photorealism, Nesbitt defied categorization, blending realism with surreal and conceptual elements. His subjects ranged from botanical studies and urban architecture to x-ray figures, computer components, and animals, making him one of the most versatile visual artists of his time.
Born in Towson, Maryland, Nesbitt earned his BFA from the Tyler School of Art and studied on fellowship at the Royal College of Art in London. After serving in the U.S. Army, he moved to Washington, D.C., later settling in New York City to pursue a full-time art career.
Nesbitt gained national attention following his 1964 debut at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, transitioning from abstraction to realism under the encouragement of artist Robert Indiana. His meticulously rendered floral paintings led to a career-defining moment in 1980 when the United States Postal Service issued four stamps based on his artwork. He also served as the official artist for NASA’s Apollo 9 and Apollo 13 missions, and in 1976, completed what was then the largest mural in the U.S. for the Navy's administration building on Treasure Island.
Nesbitt passed away in his New York studio in 1993, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, scale, and visual exploration.
Courtesy of Lincoln Center
