Making Meaning of Illustration By Michele Bogart, Ph.D. American illustration is an exciting and popular field with tremendous cultural significance, yet paradoxically, one with an image problem. “Illustration,” defined broadly, lacks the centrality and heuristic coherence that the related field of fine art painting has. Partly because
A common misconception is the idea that the Victorians invented childhood. Though there were obviously children running around and playing for innumerable generations before the 19th century, the concept of “childhood” was nowhere near as prevalent or as closely observed as it was by the Victorians. Children throughout history were often participating members of the household, assisting with daily chores which were commonly more labor intensive than making the bed or loading the dishwasher, in comparison with today.
The Norman Rockwell Museum was sad to learn of the recent passing of illustration historian, Walter Arnold Reed on March 18, 2015 at his home in Westport, CT. Reed is the author of many books on American illustration, including The Illustrator in America, 1860-2000 (2001), the invaluable chronological compendium of illustrators and their art which
Witches Night Out by Barbara Rundback Owen Smith (b. 1964) Halloween New Yorker, 2000 Cover illustration for The New Yorker (November 6, 2000) Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, is one of the times that harmful spirits are said to be active. In the U.S., we
On this day, August 26, 1901, illustrator Earle K. Bergey was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He studed at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and then went to work for Philadelphia’s Public Ledger. Bergey is best remembered for his pulp-fiction cover art, comic book cover art, and glamour illustrations.
On this day, August 25, 1959, illustrator and children's book author Ian Woodward Falconer was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut. He studied art history at New York University, and art at Parsons School of Design and the Otis Art Institute. In addition to creating a variety of Olivia story books, Falconer has also produced theater set designs
On this day, August 24, 1886, illustrator Walter Haskell Hinton was born in San Francisco, California. Hinton studied art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In addition to cover illustration art and pulp illustration art, Hinton also produced advertising images for tractor company John Deere and images for Brown and Bigelow calendars.
On this day, August 23, 1953, artist and graphic designer F. Winold Reiss died in New York City. German born, Reiss immigrated to the U. S. in 1913. His illustration work includes graphically dynamic WWI war posters; interpretations of Harlem Jazz and Steel Workers; illustrations for Alain Locke’s book The New Negro; and this cover illustration
On this day, August 22, 1880, cartoonist George Herriman was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. When he was ten his family moved to Los Angeles. By the age of 17, and after high school Herriman worked as an illustrator and engraver for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. In 1913 Herriman's best known strip Krazy Kat was created.
On this day, August 21, 1929, comic book artist and colorist Marie Severin was born in East Rockaway, New York. She studied for a short time at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Severin began working for EC Comics as a colorist in the late 40s. She also worked for Marvel Comics in production. Severin was Marvel’s head