Tore Asplund

Tore Asplund immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of one. He studied in New York at the Art Students League, the National Academy School, and the Grand Central Art School. He was elected an Associate National Academician (ANA) in 1949 and advanced to National Academician (NA) in 1951 by the National Academy of Design. During World War II, he served as a combat artist in the U.S. Coast Guard and is perhaps best known for his paintings of the Omaha Beach landing on D-Day, based on sketches made during the invasion. His travels across the United States, Canada, and Europe are reflected in many of works.

In 1953, Asplund received the National Academy’s watercolor prize. His work also earned honors from the Salmagundi Club, the Baltimore Watercolor Club, and the American Watercolor Society. He served on the Academy Council from 1960 to 1963 and again from 1965 to 1968 and taught at the National Academy School from 1959 to 1965, except during 1962–1963. He was also a member of Allied Artists of America, the Salmagundi Club, Audubon Artists, the American Watercolor Society and an honorary member of the Florida Watercolor Society. His work is held in collections at the National Academy of Design and the Asheville Art Museum