“A painter, muralist and long-time teacher at the New School of Social Research in New York, Anthony Toney was born to Syrian immigrants in Gloversville, New York on June 28, 1913.” (1)
“He received a university stipend to study in Paris in 1937. Alarmed by the fascist movements sweeping Europe, Mr. Toney sneaked across the Pyrenees into Spain and joined the volunteer Abraham Lincoln Brigade fighting against Gen. Francisco Franco's forces in the Spanish Civil War.
Wounded at the Battle of Ebro, he returned to New York and worked again for the WPA. During World War II, Mr. Toney served as a flight engineer in the Army Air Forces in the South Pacific and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.” (2).
“Mr. Toney, who took advantage of the GI Bill to get a doctorate in fine arts and education at Columbia University's Teacher College, began teaching at the New School in 1952. He painted two enormous murals at Syracuse University, one of which, Man and the Universe, includes portraits of nearly a hundred scientists and is still on view” (1).
“In 1947, he wed actress-playwright Edna Greenfield, and they remained married until her death in 1993” (2).
“Toney was a member of the National Academy of Design, an associate in 1969 and full academician in 1971, the Artists Equity Association, the Audubon Artists and the National Society of Mural Painters. Toney's paintings were the recipients of many awards, including the Childe Hassam purchase prize at the National Institute of Arts and Letters, awards from the National Academy of Design, Columbia University, and the Grumbacher Award, Audubon Artists” (1).
In the 1960, he tutored artist Frances Kruszewski at the New School for Social Research.
“His work is marked by an intellect that looked at the world and saw a complex reality. For him realism was not a mirror of the natural world, but a more abstract idea which included political and psychological forces. His strong aesthetic was influenced by the movements that preceded him- impressionism, expressionism and cubism as well as the foundations of the old masters” (3).
“He moved to Fairfax[, California] in 1997 and, with his beret and sketchbook, became a familiar figure around town. He volunteered at the local elementary school, delighting kids whose portraits he did” (2).
“Anthony Toney died of a lung infection at age 91 in Fairfax, California on September 10, 2004” (1).
References:
1.
Askart staff. Anthony Toney [internet]. [cited 2016 May 14]. Available from: http://www.askart.com/artist_bio/Anthony_Toney/25482/Anthony_Toney.aspx
2.
Hamlin, J. Anthony Toney—painter [internet]. SFgate; 2004 Sept 25 [cited 2016 May 14]. Available from: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Anthony-Toney-painter-2722503.php#photo-2176626
3.
The Art of Anthony Toney Staff. Home [internet]. Mesart [cited 2016 May 14]. Available from: http://www.mesart.com/indexps.jsp?artist=3513