Stevan Dohanos
American, 1907 - 1994
Stevan Dohanos (May 18, 1907 – July 4, 1994) was a prominent American artist and illustrator celebrated for his contributions to social realism. He is particularly renowned for his iconic covers for The Saturday Evening Post and for creating several impactful World War II propaganda posters, including the "Don't Talk" series. Influenced by artists Grant Wood and Edward Hopper, Dohanos's work reflects a deep engagement with everyday American life.
Born in Lorain, Ohio, Dohanos studied at the Cleveland School of Art, where he developed his skills in both fine and commercial art. In the 1930s, he explored lithography and wood etching, and became a member of the National Society of Mural Painters and the Society of Illustrators. He also helped establish the Famous Artists School in Westport, Connecticut.
Dohanos worked with the U.S. Treasury Department's Section of Painting and Sculpture, completing several post office murals, including notable works in West Palm Beach and Charlotte Amalie. His first magazine illustration appeared in McCall's in 1938, and he sold his first cover to The Saturday Evening Post in 1942, eventually contributing over 125 covers throughout the 1940s and 1950s. His illustrative work also appeared in Esquire and other magazines.
In the 1960s, he served as the chairman of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, selecting artwork for more than 300 U.S. postage stamps during his tenure under seven presidents. The Postal Service dedicated the Hall of Stamps in Washington, D.C., in his honor in 1984.
Dohanos's easel paintings and prints are included in collections at prestigious institutions such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He passed away on July 4, 1994, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy as a significant figure in American art and illustration.
Born in Lorain, Ohio, Dohanos studied at the Cleveland School of Art, where he developed his skills in both fine and commercial art. In the 1930s, he explored lithography and wood etching, and became a member of the National Society of Mural Painters and the Society of Illustrators. He also helped establish the Famous Artists School in Westport, Connecticut.
Dohanos worked with the U.S. Treasury Department's Section of Painting and Sculpture, completing several post office murals, including notable works in West Palm Beach and Charlotte Amalie. His first magazine illustration appeared in McCall's in 1938, and he sold his first cover to The Saturday Evening Post in 1942, eventually contributing over 125 covers throughout the 1940s and 1950s. His illustrative work also appeared in Esquire and other magazines.
In the 1960s, he served as the chairman of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, selecting artwork for more than 300 U.S. postage stamps during his tenure under seven presidents. The Postal Service dedicated the Hall of Stamps in Washington, D.C., in his honor in 1984.
Dohanos's easel paintings and prints are included in collections at prestigious institutions such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He passed away on July 4, 1994, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy as a significant figure in American art and illustration.
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