Let's Talk About Dioramas

What makes a science museum come to life? Art museums have it easy, as art tends to be naturally eye-catching. How can museums make science intriguing right off the bat? I believe one answer is in dioramas depicting the natural world.

Diorama background by Francis Lee Jaques from the Whitney Bird Hall at AMNH

Dioramas combine art with nature and make science museums come to life. They tell a story and allow the visitors to experience the drama of nature in places they may never visit and see animals they may never have a chance to view in their natural habitat. Dioramas are great works of art, but their artists remain virtually unknown as the focus is on the natural world, not the artistry of the painted backdrop. I, however, find the artists to be just as interesting as the subjects of the dioramas themselves. Today I’d like to focus on a particular diorama artist, Francis Lee Jaques, who was known for his excellent skills as an artist … and for his difficult personality.

Diorama background by Francis Lee Jaques from the Whitney Bird Hall at AMNH

Francis Lee Jaques drew nature, specifically birds, ever since he was a child, but he didn’t originally peruse a career as an artist. In 1917, after he had already worked as a lumberjack, electrician, and railroad fireman, Jaques enlisted in the army in San Francisco. While in California, he visited the California Academy of Sciences and became interested in becoming a museum artist. Jaques was an ambitious man and he wasn’t about to apply to just any humble museum. To start off his career, he applied for a job at the University Museum of Minnesota. Jaques sent a letter to one of the curators to say that he thought the curator’s exhibition photos were flat and in need of retouching, and that he Jaques was the man for the job. Jaques was not hired.

Diorama background by Francis Lee Jaques from the Whitney Bird Hall at AMNH

Jaques was completely undeterred and sent off an application and some of his paintings to Frank Chapman the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. This was a daring move since Jaques had no introduction to the influential Chapman. Still, Jaques’ art was impressive enough that Chapman convinced James L. Clark, the head of exhibitions, to hire Jaques without so much as an interview. In 1924 Jaques packed up and moved to NYC for his new job.

Diorama background by Francis Lee Jaques from the Whitney Bird Hall at AMNH

Jaques proved to be a remarkable artist known for producing quality work in a short amount of time. As a child Jaques spent much of his time outdoors drawing and hunting with his father. This outdoor experience allowed him to help scientists with their field work when he accompanied them on field expeditions.

Diorama background by Francis Lee Jaques from the Whitney Bird Hall at AMNH

Jaques was far from perfect, and his main weaknesses were being rude, blunt, and grudge holding. He started fights with Chapman over his pay and vacation hours, with Clark over the design of the North American Mammal Hall, and with James Perry Wilson, another diorama artist, over practically anything. Wilson was a quiet man who lived with his mother and went to classical music concerts alone. Jaques made fun of Wilson’s odd habits and noted that Wilson used his brain, but in strange ways like figuring out where to stand on the train platform in order it get a good seat on the train. All Wilson ever said about Jaques was that his painted birds were sometimes too large, a true observation.

Musk Ox diorama background by Francis Lee Jaques from the North American Mammal Hall at AMNH

Jaques worked for AMNH for 18 years and produced many beautiful works of art, but he did not end his stay there on a good note. In 1957 the museum decided Jaques’ work was too stylized and they had another artist, Matthew Kalmenoff, to retouch parts of the Glacier Park Timberland diorama. When Jaques found out, he immediately quit his job and never set foot in AMNH again. 

Diorama background by Francis Lee Jaques from The Minnesota Museum of Mining

Jaques did work with museums other than AMNH including The National Museum of Wildlife Art, The Minnesota Museum of Mining, and The Bell Museum of Natural History. Jaques may have been a difficult person to work with, but his artwork continues to inspire visitors every day.

Diorama background by Francis Lee Jaques from The Minnesota Museum of Mining

Diorama background by Francis Lee Jaques from The Minnesota Museum of Mining

Close up of the Musk Ox diorama background