Painter and printmaker Carlton Theodore Chapman was born in New London, Ohio, on September 18, 1860. His family moved to Oberlin when he was a boy and he spent most of his childhood summers in Maine, often accompanying his uncle at his work in the shipyards. Nautical themes would be the dominant subject for the artist throughout his life.

Champman's formal education began at the National Academy of Design, New York, where he also took courses in marine architecture. This was followed by courses at the Art Students League (New York) and travel abroad for study at the Academie Julian (Paris, France), the South Kensington Museum (England), and the National Gallery (London). He developed a reputation for his nautical works and was commissioned by the US Naval Academy to paint a series of works illustrating James Barnes' Naval Actions of the War of 1812. Its success led to several more commissions from publishers and in 1898 he was the designated US Navy war artist sent to capture the unfolding of the Spanish American War in Cuba for publication in Harper's Weekly. 

After marrying Aurelie Reynaud in 1911 they relocated to Los Angeles, California, where Chapman worked for six years before returning to New York. He continued to work and exhibit until his death on February 12, 1925. 

Member: 
Jury of Selection for United States Section, Department of Art; National Academy; California Art Club; American Watercolor Society; New York Watercolor Club; New York Etching Club; Artists' Fund Society; Century Association.

Exhibitions:
World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893 (awards); Atlanta Exposition, GA, 1895 (award); Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo, NY, 1901 (award); Albright Gallery, Buffalo, NY, 1906; Kanst Gallery, Los Angeles, 1912. 

Collections:
Toldeo Museum, OH; Brooklyn Institute, NY; deYoung Museum, San Francisco, CA; Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA; private collection of J.P. Morgan (NY).