Merv Corning

(C) 2015 Photograph Dale DiMauro

This is school vacation week for many students and faculty in our area. My wife, an English teacher in New Hampshire, certainly earned this hiatus. Thus, we decided to head south to Washington D.C. for warmer weather, spring blooms and to visit some museums. 

Yesterday, while visiting the National Portrait Gallery, we saw some amazing paintings of both historical figures and celebrities. One of the first paintings we saw along the long corridors was a watercolor by Merv Corning (1926-2006) of Johnny Unitas, a famous quarterback from the National Football League. Corning, over the course of his career, went on to paint over 200 National Football League Players.

I personally had never heard of Merv Corning nor seen his work. Yet, to see his work in person, it was evident he had tremendous drawing and painting skills. His composition captures Unitas under deep concentration while his brushstrokes are bold and direct. There is no fussing around or going back into the painting. The profile of Unitas' face and hand are convincing, while occupying the full picture with his presence. The artists choice of value, in his color selection, are spot on in achieving depth in the portrait.