Charley Harper: Biodiversity in the Burbs 300-piece Jigsaw Puzzle

Charley Harper (American, 1922–2007) Biodiversity in the Burbs Charley Harper loved animals, and both wild and domestic varieties can show up in suburbs, the subject of this delightful painting. You might not see the snake or the frog at first glance, or the raccoon peeking at you. But put this 300-piece puzzle together, and all will be revealed.

Charley Harper

Midcentury modernist Charley Harper (American, 1922–2007) portrayed the natural world with heart and humor. In vivid colors and simple shapes, his cardinals, ladybugs, and clever critters have become icons of wildlife art. His illustrations were published in magazines and books, notably Ford Times and The Giant Golden Book of Biology. A longtime conservationist, Harper created posters for more than 50 nature- and conservation-oriented organizations. His US National Park Service posters—massive, requiring a year each to paint—showcase delightful depictions of entire ecosystems in a style he defined as “minimal realism.” In his adopted hometown of Cincinnati, his public works are the legacy of an artist truly beguiled by the wild, one whose art was a quiet catalyst for ecological action.