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Category Archives: Illustration Art
“Come Fly with Me”—VINTAGE TRAVEL BROCHURES
Not that long ago, if you were contemplating a trip—say, at Christmastime—you wouldn’t Google destinations and then take a virtual tour through a prospective hotel room. No, you’d go to a travel agency where there would be walls full of … Continue reading
BOOKS—WHERE ARE THEY GOING?
For many centuries, books were the virtually sole way to find out what others in other places were thinking about. Since the dawn of printing, artisans of book design and artisans of discursive design have found indescribable gratification in being … Continue reading
A.M. CASSANDRE
One of the most resolved poster artists to grace the era (1890–1940) of the métier’s heyday was A.M. Cassandre. During the 1920’s and 1930’s he designed enticements–particularly for transportation firms–which would impact by way of streamlined composition and surrealist spatiality … Continue reading
PANORAMA DE LA MONTAGNE
Panorama de la Montagne 1938 Alexandra Exter (illustrator) Marie Colmont (author) The “piece of resistance”–from the point of view of graphic art– in the Pere Castor series is the 1938 accordion book, that unfolds to 94″ (ht. 9 3/8″) to … Continue reading
DIEGO AND FRIDA
The paintings and murals of Diego Rivera are not simply impressive in themselves, as evoking dramatic places and events; but they bring about a range of hitherto incongruous historical resources which, in this aggregation, impressively foreshadows new avenues of momentum. … Continue reading
PERE CASTOR’S SERIES OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS
When we hear the expression, “French Illustrated Books,” our thoughts immediately turn to dazzling, audacious imagery in tandem with chic, often risque literature. But there is a remarkable and much-beloved series of that genre which devotes graphic printing prowess to … Continue reading
GRAPHIC APPROACHES TO BEWITCHING WINTER
There are many golden graphics energetically taking advantage of expanses of icy white to set in relief strange and potent impressions. Posters for winter resorts are a major dimension of vintage graphics. Those well designed take a mysterious power in … Continue reading
VOGUE COVERS BY ERIC
In the years prior to World War II, the fashion publication, Vogue, was tantamount to a bi-monthly epiphany, thanks to a group of brilliant graphic artists producing covers, sometimes in tune with the season, and sometimes just flat-out out of … Continue reading
POCHOIRS
Today we consider, by way of introduction to be followed by later instalments, a design genre I hope to prompt you to investigate, because I’m convinced it comprises some of the most sophisticated, witty and exciting graphics ever produced.
ROLF ARMSTRONG (1889-1960)
ROLF ARMSTRONG (1889-1960) Armstrong has been quoted as intent upon eliciting “all the glow, exuberance and spontaneous joy that leaps from a young and happy heart,” and in those of his works that are fully mastered he does indeed provide … Continue reading