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William Nelson Copley

William Nelson Copley (1919 - 1996) was active/lived in California, New York, Florida / France.  William Copley is known for Surreal-pop imagery, assemblage.

Painter William Nelson Copley (1919-1996), more popularly known by the contraction of his name CPLY,  was born in New York City.  He was adopted by newspaper publisher Colonel Ira C. Copley, who owned newspapers throughout Chicago and Southern California, thus assuring a lifetime of financial independence.

Copley studied at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts from 1932-1936, and Yale University from 1936-1938.  In the U.S. Army from 1942-1946, during World War II, he fought throughout Italy and North Africa.

In 1947-1948, he was Director of Copley Galleries in Beverly Hills, Calif. in partnership with his brother-in-law John Ployardt, where he exhibited Surrealists Rene Magritte, Joseph Cornell, Matta, Yves Tanguy, Man Ray and Max Ernst.  The gallery failed.  When it closed, Copley's careers as a collector and artist began.

The artist was self-taught, not starting to paint until he was 28 years old.  He worked in a pseudo-naif   ...  [Displaying 1000 of 14929 characters.]  Artist bio

Artist auction records

.  askART's database currently holds 436 auction lots for William Nelson Copley (of which 377 auction records sold and 3 are upcoming at auction.)

Artist artworks for sale and wanted

.  There are 2 artworks for sale on our website by galleries and art dealers (including new art for sale). There are 2 galleries and art dealers listing works of art by William Nelson Copley as either "Wanted" or "For Sale" .

Research resources

.  askART lists William Nelson Copley in 0 of its research Essays. William Nelson Copley has 17 artist signature examples available in our database.

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