Henry Clarence Pitz Artist
Henry Clarence Pitz (June 16, 1895 – November 26, 1976) was an American artist, illustrator, editor, author, and teacher who wrote and illustrated over 190 books, the best known of which is The Brandywine School.Pitz was born in Philadelphia in 1895. His father was a bookbinder who immigrated from Germany. Pitz graduated from West Philadelphia High School and was awarded a scholarship to the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art which changed its name in 1838 to the University of the Arts. At art school Pitz studied illustration and was particularly fond of Howard Pyle. After a few years in the Army Medical Corps spent in Europe, Pitz returned to Philadelphia and began a career of teaching and book illustration, his first notable book being Early American Costume published by The Century Company of New York.In the 1930s Pitz joined the monthly magazine American Artist as an associate editor and writer and was a regular contributor to the magazine for the rest of his life. Pitz also became a regular teacher at his alma mater, the Museum School. In 1950 Pitz was elected to the National Academy of Design.In the 1960s Pitz was commissioned by Houghton, Mifflin and Company to write The Brandywine School which remained on the best seller list for ten weeks. A few years later Pitz published a comprehensive book on his favorite illustrator, Howard Pyle. Pitz resided at 3 Cornelia Place in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. He died on November 26, 1976 in Philadelphia.
