A Chicago Renaissance Man: The Life and Art of Frederic Clay Bartlett Frederic Clay Bartlett, born in 1873 into a burgeoning era of American industrial prosperity, was more than simply an artist; he was a pivotal figure in establishing Chicago as a vibrant center for modern art. His story is one interwoven with the city’s own growth, from its dazzling display at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition to its emergence as a haven for progressive artistic thought. Born into privilege – his father, Adolphus Clay Bartlett, was a leading figure in the hardware industry and originator of the True Va…