Wayman Adams is known for portraits of prominent persons including authors, painters, political leaders, etc. His portrait of Booth Tarkington brought him early recognition, and he was known as a "lightning" artist because his portraits were completed in one sitting. Ethnic types constitute one of the most intriguing aspects of his work.

After receiving instruction at the Herron Art Institute* of Indianapolis, he went on to study with William Merritt Chase in Florence, Italy. From there he traveled, in 1912, to Spain with Robert Henri, and besides studying Velazquez, made many sketches of the life of the Spanish people.

The sitter is the main focus in Adams' portraits, although he did utilize acce...