Murray Hantman (1904–1999) was an American painter, muralist, and teacher whose artistic evolution spanned realism to abstraction over his long career. Born in Edenborn, Pennsylvania, Hantman’s family moved frequently during his childhood, with residences in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Alabama, before finally settling in New York. His formal art training took place at the progressive Art Students League in New York City, which shaped both his technical skill and his commitment to modernist expression.
Hantman became especially associated with Monhegan Island in Maine, where he spent summers painting after World War II and developed lasting connections with other artists. His early work focused on representational landscapes, but over time he embraced a bold abstraction marked by vibrant color and expressive form. Hantman’s paintings have been exhibited widely and are recognized for their atmospheric quality and mastery of spatial composition. As a teacher, he influenced generations of students while maintaining a close involvement with mid-century American art circles.