James Purdy: A Quiet Genius of American Portraiture James Edward Purdy (1914 – 2009) wasn’t a household name, but within the realm of American art history, he holds a respected position as one of the foremost portrait painters of his generation. Born in Saco, Maine, Purdy possessed an uncommon dedication to craft and observation—qualities that underpinned a prolific career spanning nearly seven decades and resulted in hundreds of meticulously rendered portraits capturing the essence of prominent figures across various disciplines. His work stands apart not merely for its technical skill but…