The Artistry and Legacy of A.E. Backus

A lecture at the Coral Gables Museum explores the life and lasting influence of Florida landscape painter A.E. “Bean” Backus.

The Artistry and Legacy of A.E. Backus takes place Wednesday, March 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. The program traces Backus’s development from his early years in Fort Pierce through his artistic training, Depression-era work and military service, leading to his emergence as a defining figure in Florida’s visual arts.

The discussion also examines his later years in Coral Gables, where he built a broad collector base and deepened relationships with patrons such as the Morris family, whose collection plays a key role in preserving his work. In addition to his painting career, Backus is recognized for mentoring a group of young African American artists who became known as the Florida Highwaymen.

Select works from the Morris Collection will be on view during the lecture, accompanied by contextual insights into Backus’s practice and legacy.