Photo: Sotolux / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
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
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- painter / photographer / draftsperson / graphic artist / printmaker
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Everett High School
- University
- University of Washington
Awards & achievements
- Rome Prize
- National Medal of Arts
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Subway Portraits | — |
6. Links
- Official sitehttp://chuckclose.com/
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck%20Close
Frequently asked questions
When was Chuck Close born?
July 5, 1940 – August 19, 2021.
Where is Chuck Close from?
Chuck Close is from Monroe, Washington, United States.
What does Chuck Close do?
Chuck Close works as painter, photographer, draftsperson, graphic artist, printmaker.
What is Chuck Close known for?
Notable works include Subway Portraits.
Painter — see all → · Photographer — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.