The Versatile Life of Charles Henry Granger
Charles Henry Granger was an American itinerant painter who lived a life of diverse creative pursuits. Beyond his work as a painter, he was also a poet, composer, musician, music teacher, sculptor, and draftsman. After studying at West Point for two and a half years, he returned to Saco, where he began teaching himself piano, drawing, and painting. Following his marriage to Mary Eaton in 1839, he embarked on a three-year journey to seek further instruction in painting and to establish contact with artists and clients. His travels took him through several locations, including:
To sustain himself, Granger engaged in various occupations, such as leading a church choir, teaching art, tuning pianos, and leading a band.
Artistic Legacy and Contributions
Granger's artistic output was extensive; his own sketchbooks suggest that between 1832 and 1845, he executed between 187 and 250 oil paintings, alongside sculptures and musical compositions. His known works include portraits of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and John James Audubon, as well as a copy of the George Stuart portrait of General Henry Knox. In his later years, he focused on "flower pieces" and portraits often copied from daguerreotypes.
In 1866, he helped found the York Institute, an organization dedicated to promoting the study of Natural History and encouraging Science and Art. This institution aimed to collect and preserve the natural and civic history of York County. Granger continued to paint until late in his life, eventually settling in Saco, where he died in 1893.
