Gerard Curtis Delano

Born in Marion, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, Gerard Delano, with a strong New England heritage, became a well-known illustrator and fine-art painter of western scenes, particularly Navajo Indians in landscape.

He was the son of a sea captain and named for Gerard Curtis, the man who owned the ship that his father commanded.  He began his art studies in New Bedford and as a youth sold illustrations to Life Magazine.  His first training was at the Swaine Free School of Design near Marion, and in 1910, he enrolled at the Art Students League in New York City, becoming the pupil of George Bridgman, Frank Vincent DuMond, and Edward Dufner.  He also worked as a textile designer.