Philipp William May

Philipp William May was an artist whose documented professional activity centered around the year 1884. Known for his concise draftsmanship and character studies, May’s artistic output is represented in significant institutional collections.

The Art Institute of Chicago holds fifteen documented drawings by the artist, establishing the verifiable scope of his work represented in American museums. These drawings, created during his active period, include studies such as A Coster Woman, A Drinking Bar, and An April Fool. Other notable works represented in collections are the specific cultural observations depicted in A Day with the Medicine Man and Arry and Arriet.

The preservation of his drawings in major museums ensures the continued study of Philipp William May prints and original works on paper. Due to the age of the artist's output, many works associated with his brief documented period have entered the public domain, allowing collectors and researchers to access museum-quality images and downloadable artwork for study.