Len Tantillo (b. 1946 - ) is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. Tantillo is a licensed architect who left the field of architecture in 1986, to pursue a career in the fine art of historical and marine painting. Since that time, his work has appeared internationally in exhibitions, publications and film documentaries. He is the author of four books, and the recipient of two honorary degrees. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Marine Artists. His work is included in the collections of the Fenimore Art Museum, the Minnesota Museum of Marine Art, numerous historical societies, and corporate and private collections in the USA and abroad. In 2004 he was commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to create a painting depicting the Daniel Winne house as it may have appeared in 1755. He has produced over 300 paintings and drawings of New York State history. In 2016 he was elected a Fellow of the New York Academy of History.
Chronological Biography
1946 |
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Born Poughkeepsie, New York |
1969 |
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Bachelor of Architecture, Rhode Island School of Design |
1970 |
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Architectural Practice, 1970 - 1976 |
1976 |
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Commercial and Architectural Illustration, 1976 –1984 |
1992 |
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Inpakken en ... Avro Films, Hilversum, The Netherlands, Television documentary |
1994 |
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“Democratic Vistas: 150 Years of American Art from Regional Collections,” Exhibition at the University Art Museum, State University of Albany, New York |
1995 |
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Joined the American Society of Marine Artists |
1995 |
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“River to Canton” PBS/WMHT, Television documentary |
1996 |
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Presented a master plan to construct a canal from the Hudson River into the city of Albany, New York, one mile in length along the path of Broadway. The city then commissioned Tantillo to follow up with an engineering evaluation of his design. |
1996 |
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“Visions of New York State - The Historical Paintings of L. F. Tantillo,” An exhibition of 48 paintings and numerous drawings. University Art Museum, State University of Albany, New York |
1996 |
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“Visions of New York State - The Historical Art of L. F. Tantillo,” Exhibition catalog. Shawangunk Press 138 p. (hard and soft cover) |
1997 |
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“Before New England: The Dutch and Native Americans in the Connecticut River Valley 1609-1650,” Exhibition at the Connecticut River Museum, Essex, Connecticut |
1998 |
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“The Sloop Experiment Leads the Hudson Out Into the Wider World,” Sea History Magazine, Winter 1998-99 |
1999 |
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Award of Excellence, 20th Annual International Marine Art Exhibition, Mystic Seaport |
1999 |
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“The Hudson River in the Age of Sail,” Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston, New York – exhibitor and curator |
1999 |
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20th Annual International Marine Art Exhibition, Mystic Seaport |
1999 |
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“The Natural Corridor: New York’s Transportation History,” Mountain View Productions, Television documentary |
1999 |
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“Historic Views of the Capital District,” PBS/WMHT, Television documentary |
2000 |
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Rudolph J. Schaefer Maritime Heritage Award, 21st Annual International Marine Art Exhibition, Mystic Seaport |
2000 |
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21st Annual International Marine Art Exhibition, Mystic Seaport |
2001 |
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22nd Annual International Marine Art Exhibition, Mystic Seaport, |
2001 |
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12th National Exhibition, American Society of Marine Artists, Dennis, Massachusetts, and Wilmington, Delaware |
2001 |
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“Envisioning the Past with Len Tantillo,” New York State Archives Magazine, Fall 2001 |
2002 |
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Honorary Degree, Doctor of Public Service, Russell Sage College, “In recognition of the vision you have shared with us through your paintings.” |
2003 |
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The Sage Colleges, 2003 – 2008, Elected Trustee |
2004 |
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Elected Fellow of the American Society of Marine Artists |
2004 |
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Alice P. Kenney Award, presented by the New Netherland Institute |
2004 |
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13th National Exhibition, American Society of Marine Artists, Vero Beach, Florida 2004. Award Winner: “Winter Solstice,” Lake George, New York |
2004 |
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“Hudson River Journeys,” WMHT Productions, PBS Television documentary featuring the work of L. F. Tantillo and the music and commentary of Pete Seeger |
2005 |
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Elected to the Board of Directors, American Society of Marine Artists |
2007 |
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New York State Conservationist Magazine, February 2007, Cover Story, “Visions of New York State” |
2007 |
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Commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to create a painting depicting the Daniel Winne house as it may have appeared in 1750. |
2008 |
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Gold Medal of Excellence for Fine Art, presented by the Holland Society of New York |
2008 |
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Commissioned by the Steinway Piano Company to design an artcase concert grand piano commemorating the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hudson to the New World. The piano was designated HH400. |
2008 |
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14th National Exhibition, American Society of Marine Artists, Chase Center, Wilmington, Delaware |
2009 |
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“Hollanders and the Hudson: The paintings of L. F. Tantillo,” Westfries Museum, Hoorn, The Netherlands, Exhibition of 50 works |
2009 |
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Commissioned by New York Governor David Paterson to create a painting for the Dutch Royal family celebrating the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage. The painting was presented to Prince Willem Alexander and Princess Maxima upon their visit to New York. |
2009 |
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“Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: The Worlds of Henry Hudson,” Museum of the City of New York, April 14 – September 27, 2009 |
2009 |
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New York State Conservationist Quadricentennial Commemorative Issue, August 2009, “Painting the Past, The Art of L. F. Tantillo,” feature article |
2009 |
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Elsevier (Dutch Magazine) Speciale Editie, “Van de wal naar Wallstreet,” Annual Edition 2009 |
2010 |
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National Geographic Society’s Education website licenses Tantillo paintings. This venue provides resources to educators and learners worldwide. |
2010 |
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“1608” Exhibition, New York State Museum, July 3, 2009 – March 7, 2010 |
2011 |
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“The Edge of New Netherland,” an illustrated history of the colonial settlement of the Delaware River, L. F. Tantillo, Fine Art, 95 pages |
2011 |
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“Hudson River Panorama, 400 Years of History and Art,” Albany Institute of History and Art, March 6, 2009 – January 2, 2011 |
2011 |
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Guest speaker at the Teaching American History seminar for New York City primary and secondary school teachers at the Museum of Natural History |
2012 |
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Guest speaker Philadelphia Athenaeum |
2012 |
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Research and development of drawings and digital models for the National Parks Service, Saratoga Battlefield |
2013 |
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15th National Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists |
2014 |
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“East River, Manhattan, 1655” 20 x 30 inch, oil on canvas, purchased by Fenimore Art Museum |
2015 |
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New York State Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Historic Sites commission to paint the settlement of Wiltwyck in 1695 |
2016 |
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Elected Fellow of the New York Academy of History |
2016 |
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Moderator and Presenter at the first National Marine Art Conference, Williamsburg, Virginia |