James Gale Tyler

American (1855-1931)

Artist and illustrator James Gale Tyler (1855-1931) received early inspiration for his renowned marine paintings from the ships and boats on Lake Ontario, near his birthplace of Oswego, New York. Tyler began painting at the age of fifteen and pursued a highly successful artistic career in New York City and the surrounding areas. He studied briefly under Archibald Cary Smith in 1870 and quickly earned recognition as one of the most notable marine painters of the era. Tyler joined many artistic organizations and pursued an active exhibition schedule, showing works at the National Academy of Design, the Brooklyn Art Association, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Throughout his career, Tyler painted the Americaís Cup race yearly from 1900 and contributed illustrations to widely-read magazines like Harperís, Century, and Literary Digest, evidence of his popularity as a marine artist.