The Formative Years and Academic Path
Born in St. Louis, United States, John Moore began his professional journey as a draftsman and technical illustrator at McDonnell Douglas in 1960. He transitioned to art full-time in 1962, pursuing his studies at Washington University in St. Louis, the Chautauqua Institution, and the Yale University summer program. After enrolling at Yale, he studied under Lennart Anderson, Lester Johnson, Richard Lindner, and Jack Tworkov, eventually earning an MFA in 1968.
Moore’s career in academia was extensive. He served at the Tyler School of Art of Temple University until 1988, when he became the head of graduate painting at Boston University. Later, he was appointed chair of the Department of Fine Arts at the University of Pennsylvania, a role he held until his retirement in 2009. He currently lives and works in Belfast, Maine.
Artistic Focus and Subject Matter
As a contemporary realist painter, Moore’s work has evolved through several distinct thematic stages. His early career focused on spare still lifes of ordinary objects, utilizing them to investigate light, transparency, reflection, color, volume, and perspective. In the late 1970s, his focus expanded into interior and studio views, often incorporating window views of urban scenes to explore the relationship between the observed and the formal.
His mature body of work is characterized by three recurring subjects:
His depictions of industrial sites include locations in Pennsylvania, Boston, St. Louis, and Maine. These works often feature structures such as smokestacks, factories, and aging metal, sometimes juxtaposing industrial elements with natural settings.
Questions & Answers
What are the birthplace and birth year of John Moore?
John Moore was born in St. Louis in 1941.
How is John Moore's career divided into periods?
The Chronicle of John Moore is a scroll-driven timeline that presents the artist's works in chronological order, grouped into career-period chapters.
How do I find works by John Moore on a specific theme?
The By Keywords page of John Moore groups the artist's artworks by their keywords.
Where can I see all artworks by John Moore?
Every work by John Moore on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.
