The Art of Illustration -- Rockwell, Wyeth, and Others

Daybreak (1922), Maxfield Parrish

This is a continuation of my April 2020 post entitled, Illustration in Children's Literature & the Wyeths. It is inspired by my last post Blue Morning by George Wesley Bellows that is currently on exhibit in the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. While investigating similar paintings framed by columns, I found Daybreak (1922) by American Illustrator Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966). 

Baseball Scene of Batter, Catcher and Umpire
(1915), Joseph Christian Leyendecker

Parrish is among the most famous American painters and was once the highest paid illustrator in the country. You've no doubt heard of Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) and maybe J.C. Leyendecker (1874-1951), both known for their covers on The Saturday Evening Post. Both were featured in my December 2020 post, Saint Nicholas and Father Christmas in Art. J.C.'s baseball illustrations may inspire me to write another post about the art of baseball!

Tough Call (1948), Norman Rockwell

Rockwell is probably the most recognizable illustrator of his time. As one of his iconic baseball illustrations depicts, it's a Tough Call as to which artist captured the spirit of baseball better -- Rockwell or Leyendecker. It was fun visiting the Baseball HOF in Cooperstown, NY in 2019 and seeing the art up close and personal. I also like Rockwell's The Dugout (1948) and Leyendecker's Boys Playing Baseball (1915).

Blue Lock the Queen (1916), N.C. Wyeth

A great place to view the works of these artists is the National Museum of American Illustration in Newport, Rhode Island. Here's a link to the N.C. Wyeth exhibit at NMAI. Wyeth (1882-1945) was one of the most famous and successful literary illustrators, helping readers visualize heroic characters in adventure books such as Treasure Island. His first cover for the Saturday Evening Post was published in 1903. I was introduced to his work while I was an art docent in my daughter's elementary school. This illustration accompanied a story published in Collier's magazine.

Mermaid (1910), Howard Pyle

Wyeth's mentor was American painter, Howard Pyle (1853-1911). His Mermaid painting is quite impressive and acclaimed for being the best depiction of a mermaid by an artist. The man being saved by the sea nymph is all blue, as if he became frozen in the frigid water, all expect for his red cap! Its movement reminds me of Wyeth's 'Blue Lock', even down to the red detail on the horse rider's head (bandana). While there is already tension in the mermaid's struggle, the red cap draws my attention even more. Also interesting is Pyle's treatment of the sea foam, reminding me of how Bob Ross teaches us to paint watery seascapes in his Joy of Painting TV series.

Battle at Sea (1947), Fischer

A student of Pyle, German-born American artist, Anton Otto Fischer (1882-1962) was also featured in the Post magazine. His illustrations often depicted maritime or marine war scenes such as Battle at Sea, published in a book about his sailing days. Curiously, there is a red flame in the center of the top third of the composition, much like the red cap in Pyle's Mermaid painting. While Pyle's seascape could be used to show movement, Fischer's would be perfect for teaching about perspective.

Violin Studies, Wistehuff

Revere Wistehuff (1900-1971) was part of the New Rochelle Art Colony in the 1920's, '30s and '40s, along with colleagues Rockwell and Leyendecker. His Violin Studies shows a boy who would rather be playing baseball than practicing his music. The kid reminds me of Buffalo Bob Smith's Howdy Doody character!

Grandma Catches Fly-ball,
Richard Sargent

Finally, we have another baseball illustration entitled, Marmont Hill Grandma Catches Fly-ball by Richard Sargent (1911-1979). It reminds me of Rockwell's The Dugout. It's surprising that she could see the ball with her eyes closed and her handbag hanging in the way. Isn't that Superman's Lois Lane standing next to her?