Norman D. Daly (August 9, 1911 – April 2, 2008) was an American artist renowned for conceiving the fictional ancient Civilization of Llhuros, an endeavor that encompassed crafting numerous artifacts. His pioneering efforts on The Civilization of Llhuros, which commenced in the mid-1960s, established him as a trailblazer in an art genre now recognized as fictive archaeology.
In 1942, Daly became a member of the Department of Art at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Here, he imparted knowledge on subjects such as drawing, painting, materials and techniques, as well as the fundamentals of design. Over the years, he ascended to the position of Professor of Art in 1958, ultimately retiring in 1976. Even after retirement, he continued to contribute as an emeritus professor until 1999.
During his formative years in Boulder, Daly’s creative endeavors drew inspiration from the American Southwest and Native American art, which resonated within his early paintings. In the mid-1940s, he began showcasing these paintings, and his journey as a professional artist extended throughout the 1950s. As the 1960s unfolded, Daly’s creative interests expanded to embrace three-dimensional forms, incorporating found objects, assemblages, and even marble carvings.
