Chronology
1904
Daniel Brustlein is born in the Alsatian town of Mulhouse, France (September 11).
1909
Publication of a brochure titled “Petite Historire de la Guerre en Caricatures.” This is the artists first of many
publication of cartoons.
c. 1922
Studies in Geneva (École des Arts & Metiers and École des Beaux Arts)
1924
At the suggestion of a professor, Brustlein leaves Geneva for Paris where he continues his studies and finds work as an illustrator.
1925
His illustrations are included in "L'Exposition Internationale des arts decorative.” This is Brustlein’s first public exhibition of his work which opens in France and travels to Italy.
1927
Brustlein moves to New York City at the encouragement of a school mate who has found a job for him as an illustrator, humorous cartoonist, and book cover designer.
1930
Travels to Mexico and Guatemala.
1933
Became a U.S. citizen.
c. 1935
Brustlein’s illustrations and cartoons begin appearing regularly in The New Yorker. His first cover for the magazine appears (November 9). Brustlein signs his work as ‘Alain’ by which name he would become known for his cartoons. About this time Brustlein’s illustrations begin also appearing regularly in Collier’s a weekly magazine that had established a reputation as a proponent of social reform featuring writers such as Martha Gellhorn and Ernest Hemingway, who reported on the Spanish Civil War, and Winston Churchill, who wrote an account of the First World War before becoming a minister in the British government. Other writers included Willa Cather, Zane Grey, Ring Lardner and Sinclair Lewis among others.
1936
Illustrates Farewell to Model T, E.B. White’s (as Lee Strout White) nostalgic tribute, for the writer’s articles published in The New Yorker. An early book by White, whose essays in The New Yorker redefined the form, and whose children's books, including Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web, have become timeless classics. The article with illustrations is published in book form by GP Putnam.
1940
Meets painter Janice Biala. The couple are active artists within the New York School associating and befriending artist Willem de Kooning (whose career Biala and Brustlein would support), critic Harold Rosenberg, photographer Rudy Burckhardt, and writer Edwin Denby among others.
1942
Brustlein participates in an “Exhibition to Aid the Work of United China,” at the Grand Central Art Galleries (NYC) winning First Prize (January). Exhibits in “Cartoons Against the Axis” organized by American Society of Magazine Cartoonists (January 17). Exhibits work in “Cartoons of the Day” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (May). Marries painter Janice Biala (July 11).
1943
Brustlein and Biala host an informal wedding lunch at a downtown cafeteria for Elaine and Willem de Kooning following their marriage (Dec 9).
1947
Returns to live in Paris with Biala. The couple reunite with old friends and build new friendships with artistincluding photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson.
1948
Begins exhibiting his paintings regularly at the “Salon des Surindépendants,” in Paris.
1949
Brustlein and Biala summer at Villefranche-sur-Mer (June to Sept). While there Biala spends a day with Matisse at his home (July 31) and later the couple meets again Picasso.
c. 1950
Aspiring to fulfill his life’s ambition to become a painter, Brustlein illustrations and humors cartoons work slows. However, his drawings continue to appear in popular magazines including Saturday Evening Post and Look Magazine.
1951
Brustlein and Biala rent for a time the Paris studio of Cartier-Bresson.
1952
Reflecting Cold War politics, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (“McCarran-Walter Act”) is passed by United States Government. It requires Brustlein and Biala to return regularly to the United States in order to retain their American citizenship.
Brustelin’s first one-person exhibition of paintings opens at Galerie Jeanne Bucher, Paris (Feb 1).
Participates in “Rythmes et Couleurs,” at Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts: Lausanne,” in Lausanne, Switzerland (June 20). Nominated as a candidate for the Prix de la Critique, held at Galerie Saint-Placide, Paris, (July 5). Of his selection, French critic Charles Estienne writes: “From Monet, one goes naturally to the youngest and best painting of today. After tasting the savor, so right and measured, of Brustlein…” (L’Observateur, July 3, 1952).
Friendships continue to develop with European artists include among others Victor Bauer and Alberto Giacometti.
1953
Brustlein participates in the "Second Annual Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture," Stable Gallery (NYC)
(January). Brustlein and Biala purchase a small farmhouse in Peapack, NJ.
1955
First one-person exhibition opens in New York at the Stable Gallery (October 17).
1956
Illustrates the children’s book It’s Spring, It’s Spring by Janice Biala (New York: Whittlesey House). The Elephant and the Flea is published (New York: Whittlesey House), written and illustrated by Alain (Brustlein).
1957
Brustlein is one of thirty-on candidates for grants through the National Institute of Arts and Letters (March).
Invited to participate in "Portraits" at Tibor de Nagy Gallery (NYC) (May). Other artists include de Kooning,
Kline, Guston, Mitlon Resnick, Larry Rivers.
1958
Begins exhibition regularly at “L’Ecole de Paris,” an annual exhibition with rotating venues.
1959
Exhibits portraits and landscapes in his second one-person exhibition at Stable Gallery (NYC) (March 16). Illustrates the children’s book Minette by Janice Biala (New York: Whittlesey House).
1960
Awarded the 5th Annual International Hallmark Prize. Exhibition of the competition held at Wildenstein Gallery (October). Exhibition tours various national venues. His price winning painting is Illustrates the cover of Art News. Feature article on Brustlein, written by Jack Tworkov, appears in the same issue (October).
1962
“Trois Artistes Américans de Paris: Daniel Brustlein, Shirley Goldfarb, Terry Hass,” Le Centre Culturel Américain, Paris, France (May 9); exhibition traveled to Musée de Rennes, Rennes, June 20-July 22.
1964
One-person exhibition opens at Saidenberg Gallery (NYC) (November 10).
1965
Participates in “Portraits from the American Art World,” at New School Art Center (NYC) (February). Exhibition includes Avery, Baskin, Calder, de Kooning, Diebenkorn, Gorky, Rivers, Segal, and Tomlin.
1966
Participates in ““Cinq Siecles de Dessin,” at Galerie Lutece, Paris, (April 19-May 28). In addition to Brustleiin, the exhibition included works by Bellmer, Feininger, Giacometti, Gris, Kandinsky, Ladoux, Man Ray, Marquet, Pagava, and Tobey.
1967
Begins exhibiting regularly at Galerie Jacob, Paris.
1968
Writes and illustrates the children’s book One, Two, Three, Going to Sea (New York: Scholastic Paperbacks).
1975
Brustlein and Biala visit Egypt and tour North Africa.
1978
Begins exhibiting regularly with Gruenebaum Gallery (NYC). Critic Hilton Kramer reviews the show and explains, “In everything that Daniel Brustlein paints there is a sensibility of great refinement.” (The New York Times, Friday, May 19, 1978)
1982
Jack Tworkov dies in Provincetown (September 24).
1988
One-person exhibition opens at Galerie Jeanne Bucher (Paris, France).
1990
Brustlein’s one-person exhibition opens at the Kouros Gallery (NYC).
1996
Brustlein dies in Paris (July 14). His obituary appears in the New York Times calling him “a painters painter.”