James Lechay was born in New York City in 1907. He began his studies at the University of Illinois focusing on psychology, but graduated with a B.F.A. in 1928. During the 1930's, Lechay returned to New York and was involved with the W.P.A. Art Project.

In 1945 Lechay moved to Iowa City to begin teaching at the University of Iowa where he was a prominent faculty member of the School of Art and Architecture for the next 30 years.

Portrait of Ulfert Wilke is an important painting from Lechay's Iowa tenure. Wilke was a prominent Iowa artist and director of the University of Iowa Museum of Art for many years and was the curator of Lechay's exhibition there in 1972. His early education in psychology is apparent in his portrait paintings.

Source: News, March April 1990.