Charles Mente, a popular illustrator, comes of a musical family, and
so narrowly escaped being a musician instead of an artist. He was born
in New York city, educated in the public schools and afterward learned
wood-carving, making figureheads and ornamental work on furniture.
This work was not to his taste, however, so he entered the credit
department of A. T. Stewart’s store, New York city. This was even more
distasteful, and, resigning, he spent his evenings attending Cooper
institute art classes, and later the art students’ league. At that
time all illustrations were drawn on wood. Mr. Mente’s first drawing
was for Harper & Brothers, and was successful, and for two years he
worked for that firm. By the end of that period he had managed to save
about $1,500, with which he went abroad to study in Munich at the Royal
academy. There he received a medal, with honorable mention. Coming back
to New York, he was engaged as a teacher of painting at the Gotham
art students’ league, but gave up this position to devote himself
to painting and illustration. He has received first prize at the
exposition of the Chicago society of artists, a gold medal of the Art
club of Philadelphia in 1895, and a diploma of excellence and silver
medal at the Cotton States’ international exposition, Atlanta, Georgia,
in 1895. Mr. Mente’s reputation rests to a great extent on his pictures
based on inspirational subjects.