William Copley

American, 1919–1996

William N. Copley, known by the name CPLY, (pronounced ‘see-ply’), was a painter, writer, gallerist, art patron, publisher, and art entrepreneur. His work is held in private and public institutions worldwide, such as the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Stedelijk Museum, and many more. Recently the subject of a comprehensive traveling retrospective organized by The Menil Collection and Fondazione Prada, Copley is now widely considered a singular personage of post-war painting ­– unique for his links between European Surrealism and American Pop Art, and celebrated for his untrained painting style and eccentric, amatory themes.

Courtesy of William N. Copley Estate