Charles Edward Chambers (Born 1883) was born in Ottawa, Iowa. He was a classical painter representative of the old school. Chambers style was above reproach; his colors were harmonious, compositions compelling, and anatomies perfect. The viewer can infer from his polished art that he was trained at the French Academy, with several years of classical training. His training was in New York at the Art Students League and at the Chicago Institute with George Bridgman. Fanny Munsell, in fact, was one of his important teachers who later became his wife. Munsell was a professional illustrator in her own right and she contributed to Woman's Home Companion, Cosmopolitan, and other leading national magazines and publications. Chambers practically modeled his technique and style on Munsell’s style.
Chambers also did quite a number of distinctive illustrations for 24-sheet outdoor posters, particularly for Palmolive Soap and Chesterfield, which set very high standards in that industry. He illustrated stories in many of the leading magazines, for top authors as Louis Bromfield, Pearl Buck, W. Somerset Maugham and Faith Baldwin. He worked for Cosmopolitan magazine under exclusive contract for many years. Chambers studied at the Chicago Art Institute and also at the Art Student League in NY with Bridgman George. His pieces of art were extremely proficient, discernible by subtlety of color and value. For the best possible reproduction, he learned to adapt his method of painting early and to insure fidelity of printing. The artist divided his time almost equally between advertising and editorial assignments.
