Chakmakian, Dikran

Dikran Chakmakian (c. 1894–1964) was an Englewood, New Jersey–based artist and businessman known locally for his portrait work. Born in Dalmatia, he immigrated to the United States in 1923 and later settled in Englewood, where he lived at 27 North Dean Street. By profession he was a rug salesman, but he devoted much of his life to painting and gained recognition for portraits of New Jersey officials. His most notable work was a portrait of President John F. Kennedy, which was presented to Jacqueline Kennedy and scheduled for display at the Kennedy Memorial Library in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Chakmakian died at age 70 at Englewood Hospital and was active in the local Armenian community until his death.