Paul Fontaine and His WWII Watercolors Curator Talk
Sunday, May 17 | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Neill-Cochran House Museum
2310 San Gabriel St, Austin TX
Free and open to the public - Free parking behind the Museum.
Curator Claudia Chidester explores the life and artistic career of Paul Fontaine (1913 - 1996) focusing on his contributions as a World War II watercolor artist within the broader context of American wartime art. She traces his early development—from his involvement in New Deal programs like the CCC and WPA, through his formal training at Yale—highlighting how these experiences shaped his style and opportunities, including a prestigious fellowship.
The Talk then situates Fontaine within the larger wartime art movement, where artists documented military life and boosted morale through official and unofficial programs following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Emphasis is placed on his 1944–1945 watercolor works in Italy, which depict scenes such as military camps, transportation routes, and captured prisoners, offering a personal, on-the-ground perspective of the war. Ultimately, the presentation underscores the importance of artistic expression during WWII as both historical documentation and emotional reflection, illustrated through Fontaine’s belief that art must be driven by genuine inspiration.
Paul Fontaine and His WWII Watercolors will be on display at the Neill-Cochran House Museum through May 24. The Museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 11:00am – 4:00 pm.
Learn more at: nchmuseum.org/nchm-events/fontaine-curator-talk