The Empire Coat

Aaron Abraham Shikler: A Life in Portraiture

Early Life and Education

• Born March 18, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, to Eastern European Jewish immigrant parents.
• Graduated from The High School of Music & Art in 1940.
• Studied at the Tyler School of Art, Temple University, earning both a B.A. and M.A.
• Also studied at the Barnes Foundation in Merion, Pennsylvania.
• Served as a cartographer in Europe during World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps.
• Married Barbara Lurie (whom he met at Tyler) and had two children: Cathy Shikler van Ingen and Clifford Shikler.

Artistic Development and Influences

• Shikler’s artistic journey was marked by a dedication to representational art, particularly portraiture.
• He developed a realistic style characterized by meticulous detail and psychological insight.
• Influenced by the classical tradition of portrait painting, he sought to capture not just likeness but also character and inner life.
• His time at the Barnes Foundation exposed him to an extensive collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early Modern paintings, broadening his artistic perspective.

Major Achievements and Notable Works

• Became widely recognized for his portraits of prominent American figures.
• Most famously, he painted the official posthumous portrait of John F. Kennedy (1970) commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy. This work is considered a defining achievement and serves as Kennedy’s official White House portrait.
• Also created official portraits of First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy and Nancy Reagan.
• Painted portraits of the Kennedy children, further solidifying his connection to the family.
• Other notable works include “Woman Reading (The Artist’s Wife)” and “The Empire Coat”.

Historical Significance and Legacy

• Shikler's work provides a valuable visual record of significant figures in American history and culture.
• His portraits are admired for their technical skill, sensitivity, and ability to convey the personality of his subjects.
• He contributed significantly to the tradition of historical portraiture in the 20th century.
• Represented in numerous public collections including: The Brooklyn Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the National Academy of Design.
• Received several awards and honors throughout his career, including a centennial fellowship from Temple University and academician status at the National Academy of Design.

Later Life and Death

• Following the death of his wife Barbara in 1998, she continued to be a source of inspiration for his work.
• He continued painting until his death on November 12, 2015, at the age of 93, due to kidney failure.
• His legacy endures through his iconic portraits and contributions to American art history.