Charles M. Relyea - Gifted Gallery
- Lilium
- Aug 13
- 1 min read
Charles Mark Relyea, born 23 April 1863, was an American illustrator whose work appeared in magazines and popular novels in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Relyea was a native of Albany, New York, and spent most of his early years in Rochester. He studied art under Thomas Eakins at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and under Frank Vincent DuMond at the Art Students League in New York City before completing his training in Paris. After returning to the United States, he made his home in New Rochelle, New York. Relyea was married in 1892 to Eloise, later divorcing in 1920.
His illustrations appeared in the children's magazine St. Nicholas, as well as magazines for broader audiences, such as Munsey's, Life Magazine and Vogue.
In 1897, a publishing house chose Relyea to illustrate The Rubáiyát of Doc Sifers, Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley's poem satirising The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Because Relyea was not from Indiana, Riley insisted that he visit the state before making his drawings, to ensure that he would not misrepresent Indiana or caricature its residents.
Charles Mark Relyea died 17 June 1932, aged 69. He is best remembered for his colourful illustrations and cover work for St Nicholas Magazine.
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