Bo Bartlett: Realism Between Memory and Mystery
Born James William Bartlett III in 1955 in Columbus, Georgia, Bo Bartlett is a notable figure in contemporary American realism. His artwork merges traditional techniques with contemporary themes, turning ordinary moments into rich, emotional stories. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Thomas Eakins and Andrew Wyeth, Bartlett's pieces often carry an air of intrigue. At the age of eighteen, he studied mural painting in Florence, Italy, and later obtained a Certificate of Fine Arts from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1981. His art interacts with historical influences, including nods to Grant Wood and Winslow Homer. Bartlett has showcased his work extensively and has received various accolades, including the Gold Medal from the Portrait Society of America in 2026. He resides part-time in Columbus, Georgia, and Wheaton Island, Maine.
Key facts
- Bo Bartlett was born James William Bartlett III in Columbus, Georgia, in 1955.
- He studied mural painting with Ben Long IV in Florence, Italy, at age eighteen.
- He earned a Certificate of Fine Arts from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1981.
- He studied at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and apprenticed with Nelson Shanks.
- He earned a Certificate in Filmmaking from New York University in 1986.
- His painting 'Young Life' draws inspiration from Grant Wood's 'American Gothic'.
- His painting 'Lifeboat' is inspired by Winslow Homer's 'The Fog Warning'.
- He received the 2026 Portrait Society of America Gold Medal.
- His documentary 'Snow Hill' on Andrew Wyeth received multiple awards.
- He lives and works between Columbus, Georgia, and Wheaton Island, Maine.
Entities
Artists
- Bo Bartlett
- Thomas Eakins
- Andrew Wyeth
- Edward Hopper
- Grant Wood
- Norman Rockwell
- Ben Long IV
- Nelson Shanks
- Robertson Davies
- Winslow Homer
- René Magritte
- Salvador Dalí
- Giorgio de Chirico
Institutions
- Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- New York University
- University of Pennsylvania
- The Bo Bartlett Center
- Flint Institute of Arts
- Gibbes Museum of Art
- Orlando Museum of Art
- MOCA Jacksonville
- Lyme Academy of Fine Arts
- The Florence Academy of Art
- Miles McEnery Gallery
- National Portrait Gallery
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Georgia Museum of Art
- National Arts Club
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- Denver Museum of Art
- Franklin Institute
- Frye Art Museum
- Columbus Museum of Art
- Greenville County Museum of Art
- Morris Museum of Art
- Asheville Art Museum
- Portrait Society of America
- South Arts
- Pew Fellowship in the Arts
- 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art
- New York Academy of Art
Locations
- Columbus, Georgia
- Georgia
- Florence, Italy
- Italy
- Philadelphia
- Wheaton Island, Maine
- Maine
- United States
Sources
- AATONAU —