Alphaeus Philemon Cole (b. July 12, 1876 – d. November 25, 1988) was an American artist, engraver, and etcher. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and died in New York City. He was the son of noted engraver Timothy Cole. At the time of his death, at age 112 years and 136 days, Alphaeus was the world's oldest verified living recognized man.
Biography[]
Cole studied art first under Isaac Craig, in Italy, then in Paris from 1892 to 1901 with Jean Paul Laurens and Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant at the Académie Julian, and later at the École des Beaux-Arts. In the mid-1890s, he began to produce many vibrant works, mostly various still lifes and portraits. His painting of Dante was exhibited in the 1900 Paris Salon, and more artwork was displayed at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.