Self-taught painter Gary Erbe was born in Union City, New Jersey. Unable to attend art school, he worked as an engraver from 1965-1970 to support himself and his family, painting at night and on weekends to develop his skill. In 1967, Erbe discovered trompe l’oeil painting and those nineteenth century artists who deployed this genre to uniquely American ends.  Inspired by their focus on popular culture, modernity and questions of illusions, Erbe continues to work within – and reinvent- the trompe l’oeil tradition today.

Erbe has exhibited extensively since 1970 with solo exhibitions at Museums and galleries throughout America, Asia and Europe and his artwork is in the permanent collection of many institutions.  Erbe was honored with a 25-year traveling retrospective in 1995 and a 40-year traveling retrospective in 2010. The Butler Institute of American Art, OH has published a scholarly written 300-page book on Erbe’s art and life titled Footprints: The Art and Life of Gary Erbe in conjunction with the 50-year retrospective exhibition which began in 2017 and traveled to several institutions for two years.