Ralph E. Cahoon, Jr.

Ralph E. Cahoon, Jr. (1910, 1982) was an American folk artist best known for his whimsical paintings depicting mermaids engaged in everyday activities set against nautical New England backdrops. Self-taught and deeply rooted in Cape Cod culture, Cahoon developed a distinctive naive style that blended fantasy and Americana, often featuring hot air balloons, sailors, and Victorian-era imagery. His work, frequently created alongside his wife Martha Cahoon, has become highly collectible and is celebrated as a charming expression of American folk tradition.