Portrait of John F. Kennedy by C C Beall

C C Beall was a personal friend of my mother and father. He painted portraits of President Kennedy, President Lincoln, President Grant and Robert E. Lee in 1961. A Civil War collector purchased the Lincoln, Grant and Lee portraits over 25 years ago. Shortly thereafter I purchased the Kennedy portrait. Those who have seen the movie or read the book Flags of our Fathers will remember the War bond poster of the Iwo Jima flag-raisers. C C Beall’s painting of the famous Joe Rosenthal photo was used for that poster.

-Dr. Jack Gordon

Portrait of John F. Kennedy Art Director for the National Democratic Party during President Roosevelt's administration, Cecil Beall was a well-known illustrator and portrait artist during the 1930's and 40's. His works were regularly featured in Saturday Evening Post and Collier's.

He was born in Saratoga, Wyoming, and going a long way from his childhood home, he studied in New York at the Pratt Institute and Art Students League with George Bridgman. His early work was in a "bold poster style in watercolor marked by a strong pattern of light and shadow, which was favored by a number of illustrators" (208) of the Collier's magazine 'school'.

During World War II, Beall produced a popular series of Collier's cover illustrations depicting decorated World War II heroes, and at the end of the war, he was one of the few invited aboard the U.S.S. Missouri to record the surrender ceremony. President Harry Truman chose Beall's painting as the official painting of the event.

Memberships included the American Water Color Society, Hudson Valley Art Association, Salmagundi Club and Society of Illustrators, which gave Beall an exhibition Award of Excellence in 1961.

Source: Walter Reed, The Illustrator in America, 1860-2000

Dr. John H. Gordon