Photo: Sotolux / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Born on July 5, 1940 in Monroe, Washington, United States, Chuck Close was a painter, photographer and draftsperson. Chuck Close died on August 19, 2021, aged 81. Schooling on record includes Everett High School and University of Washington. Listed accolades include Rome Prize and National Medal of Arts. Credited works include Subway Portraits.
My Take
Chuck Close is one of those artists who genuinely altered how I look at portraits. His monumental photorealist faces dissolve into grids and cells the closer you stand, a trick that still gives me chills. Born in Monroe, Washington, and gone in 2021 at 81, he earned the Rome Prize and the National Medal of Arts. But what I revere most is his response to the 1988 spinal event that paralysed him: he reinvented his entire method rather than stopping. To me he is living proof that art is ultimately about will, not just talent.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Chuck Close
- Name (Japanese)
- チャック・クローズ
- Reading
- ちゃっく・くろーず
- Born
- July 5, 1940 – August 19, 2021
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Cancer / Dragon
- Origin
- Monroe, Washington, United States
- Occupation
- painter / photographer / draftsperson / graphic artist / printmaker
2. Background
- High school
- Everett High School
- University
- University of Washington
Awards & achievements
- Rome Prize
- National Medal of Arts
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Subway Portraits | — |
4. Links
- Official sitehttp://chuckclose.com/
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck%20Close
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q453883
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Chuck Close born?
Born July 5, 1940.
When did Chuck Close die?
Died August 19, 2021, aged 81.
Where was Chuck Close from?
Chuck Close was from Monroe, Washington, United States.
What did Chuck Close do?
Chuck Close worked as painter, photographer, draftsperson, graphic artist, printmaker.
What was Chuck Close known for?
Notable works include Subway Portraits.
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