William Henry Lippincott was born December 6, 1849 in Philadelphia and died March 16, 1920 in New York City. He began his formal art training at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. He initially studied to become an illustrator and later a scenic painter.

In 1874, Lippincott traveled to Paris where he shared an apartment with American artists Edwin Blashfield, Charles S. Pearce and Milne Ramsey. He began his studies under Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat (1833/4-1922) at the Societe de Artistes Francais. Lippincott remained in Paris for eight years. He became a regular exhibitor at the Paris Salons along with his American counter parts.

Lippincott returned to the United States in 1882 and established a studio in New York City at 1293 Broadway. He became the professor of painting at the National Academy of Design. Lippincott pursued his career painting portraits, figure compositions and landscapes. He also was a regular contributor to American Exhibitions at the Chicago Institute, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and the National Academy. His most noted works were The Duck's Breakfast, Brittany, Love's Ambush, and Pleasant reflections. He also exhibited at the 1878 Universal Exposition, Paris.

He was elected Associate Member of the National Academy in 1884 and received full academician in 1896. Lippincott was also a member of the American Watercolor Society, Society of American Etchers and the Century Association.

Museums:
Metropolitan Museum, NY

Listed: Mantle Fielding's Dictionary of American Sculptors & Engravers
Exhibition Records of the National Academy 1861-1900
American Art Analog, vol.II

Biography courtesy of Roughton Galleries, www.antiquesandfineart.com/roughton