Mervin Allen Corning, American, 1926–2006, Joe Greene, 1974, Watercolor on paper, 25 1/4 x 19 3/4 in., Saint Vincent College Collection, Gift of Kay and Art Rooney, Jr. (‘57). Photo: Richard Stoner.
Mervin Corning created a significant body of work that presented both the rural Pennsylvania landscape and its celebrated football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers,
with powerful vibrancy. Born in Santa Ana, California, Corning moved to San Francisco in 1943, before enlisting in the Merchant Marines. Immediately following World War II, Corning returned to the Bay Area to begin a successful career as a commercial illustrator. Largely self-taught, he was recognized for his tremendous ability to render his subjects with a spirited realism attractive to clients that included Trans World Airlines, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Ford-Mercury Automobiles, and Sunkist. Beginning in 1966 Corning was contracted by the National Football League to create a series of images slated for promotional use.
with powerful vibrancy. Born in Santa Ana, California, Corning moved to San Francisco in 1943, before enlisting in the Merchant Marines. Immediately following World War II, Corning returned to the Bay Area to begin a successful career as a commercial illustrator. Largely self-taught, he was recognized for his tremendous ability to render his subjects with a spirited realism attractive to clients that included Trans World Airlines, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Ford-Mercury Automobiles, and Sunkist. Beginning in 1966 Corning was contracted by the National Football League to create a series of images slated for promotional use.
Mervin Corning, American, 1926–2006, Pennsylvania Barn, n.d., watercolor, 18 1/2 x 20 in., Saint Vincent College Collection, Gift of Kay and Art Rooney, Jr. (‘57).
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Over the course of the next three decades, Corning completed hundreds of illustrations that rendered players and their coaches with strength and poise. For many, Corning’s work has become synonymous with the sport. Over the course of his career Corning developed a strong connection with Kay and Art Rooney, Jr.. The Rooney’s first began collecting work by Corning in 1969; later amassing a variety of illustrations imaging significant players from the history and leadership of the Pittsburgh Steelers including this image of defensive tackle, Joe Greene. Corning was asked to complete a likeness of Greene for the National Football League’s official magazine Pro! in 1974. Among Corning’s most favorite portraits, Greene is depicted seated on a helmet bearing the team’s logo, peering intently at the action
unfolding on the field. |
Since 1966, Saint Vincent has proudly hosted Steelers Training Camp, welcoming the team and thousands of devoted fans each summer in anticipation of the new season. For over three decades, Art Rooney, Jr., and Corning kept in close contact with one another through phone and written correspondence. The extensive collection of the artist’s work testifies to the profound admiration generations of the Rooney family and countless Steelers fans maintain for the artist.
Mervin Corning, Baker's Table with Brass and Silver, 1988, watercolor, 21 3/4 x 29 3/4 in., Saint Vincent College Collection, Gift of Kay and Art Rooney, Jr. (‘57).
