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Imagine That! Children's
and Young Adult Illustrations from the Sanford B.D. Low Illustration Collection
June 24 - September 15, 2013
Imagine That! Children's
and Young Adult Illustrations from the Sanford B.D. Low Illustration Collection spans 120 years of American illustration, focusing on original
art created for children's and young adult books, periodicals and newspapers
as well as science fiction and graphic art for young readers. It draws from
the Museum's rich holdings and includes acrylics, watercolors, gouaches,
oils, pen and ink drawings, and photography.
Visitors can unravel Walter Wick's photograph for I
Spy: Treasure Hunt: A Picture Book of Riddles, see early Disney technology
in an animation cel from Pinocchio, and immerse themselves in the
adventure of N.C. Wyeth's painting for Treasure Island. Also featured
is the work of Nicholas Napoletano, a recent graduate of the Illustration
Program at the Hartford Art School who illustrated a children's story written
by the Museum's Director Douglas Hyland. Look for The Mystery of West
Rock on the bookshelves of the Museum Shop later this year.
(above: Gallery image #1 for Imagine That! Children's
and Young Adult Illustrations from the Sanford B.D. Low Illustration Collection,
New Britain Museum of American Art. Photo by Long Lin)
(above: Gallery image #2 for Imagine That! Children's
and Young Adult Illustrations from the Sanford B.D. Low Illustration Collection,
New Britain Museum of American Art. Photo by Long Lin)
(above: James Warhola, Down he climbed, faster than a
falling bean, to show his mother the magic hen, 1989, Watercolor and
ink on paper, 13 x 20 1/2 inches. Gift of the artist. Photo by Long Lin)
(above: James Tanaka, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, 1978,
Gouache, 11 x 13 inches., New Britain Museum of American Art. Photo by Long
Lin)
Wall panels from the exhibition
- Introductory panel
-
- Imagine That! Children's and Young Adult Illustrations
from the Sanford B.D. Low Illustration Collection
spans 120 years of American illustration, focusing on original art created
for children's and young adult books, periodicals and newspapers as well
as science-fiction and graphic art intended for young readers.
-
- The exhibition features illustrations by renowned artists
such as Howard Pyle, Harrison Cady, Hilary Knight and Walter Wick. The
Museum is also delighted to debut the work of Nicholas Napoletano, one
of the youngest talents in children's illustration today. He is a recent
graduate of the Illustration Program at the Hartford Art School and has
created the visuals for a children's story written by the Museum's very
own Director Douglas Hyland. Look for The Mystery of West Rock on
the bookshelves of the Museum Shop later this year. We are grateful to
the Christine E. Moser Foundation for supporting this project.
-
- Imagine That! draws from
the Sanford B.D. Low Illustration Collection's rich holdings and includes
acrylics, watercolors, gouaches, oils, pen and ink drawings and photographs.
Many of the publications that feature the reproduced artworks are available
for your reading and enjoyment in the Art Lab.
-
-
- Wall texts relating to artists in the exhibition
-
-
- Robin Brickman (b. 1954)
-
- "Past Limestone Lambs and Ladies Weeping,"
1998
- For Midnight in the Cemetery, by Cheryl Harness
- Simon and Schuster, Inc., New York, 1998
-
- Watercolor, acrylic, and glue
- Gift of the artist, 2007.95LIC
-
- Past Limestone Lambs and Ladies Weeping fancifully captures a spooky moment in a graveyard at midnight.
Together, the author, Cheryl Harness, and illustrator, Robin Brickman,
created the story Midnight in the Cemetery to teach the letters
of the alphabet to young readers. Brickman creates a frame for the text
by including a moth holding the chain of a locket in the upper left corner.
-
- Brickman's art, which blurs the boundary between illustration
and paper sculpture, was photographed for the book. She has illustrated
several other children's books including One Night in the Coral Sea
(2005), Beaks (2002) and A Log's Life (1997).
-
-
- Frederick Coffay Yohn (1875-1933)
-
- "She Had Never Been Up There Before," ca. 1906
- For The Trail of the Lonesome Pine by John Fox,
Jr. Scribner's, New York, 1908
-
- Oil on canvas
- Gift of Dr. Albert Yohn, 1978.28 LIC
- Frederick Coffay Yohn's illustration depicts the rugged
Appalachian setting for Fox's tale of rivalry between the Tolliver and
Falin families. The young girl, June Tolliver, is shown in a striking red
dress and bare feet, her face smudged with dirt. Her appearance embodies
both the beauty and the remoteness of the Appalachian landscape. The contrast
of the thick forest surrounding June and the hazy, pastel sky stretching
far into the distance reflects the difficult decision she must make between
her home and family and the possibility of romance ahead.
- Yohn specialized in magazine illustrations and was best
known for his historical and military subjects. The Trail of the Lonesome
Pine was one of the first American novels to sell over one million
copies when it was published in 1908. In 1936, it became the first full-length
Technicolor film to be shot outdoors.
Don Maitz (b. 1953)
-
- "Balance of Power," 1979
- For Balance of Power by Brian Stableford Wildside
Press LLC, 1979
-
- Oil on canvas
- Gift of the artist, 1980.31 LIC
- Balance of Power whimsically illustrates the cover to
the fifth novel of the Daedalus Mission young adult science fiction
series by Brian Stableford. What begins as a journey from Earth's colony
to contact an indigenous alien species becomes a desperate attempt to prevent
an impending conflict between the only two continents on the planet of
Attica. The figure depicted is an omnipotent force thought to be directing
the entire plot of the novel. Don Maitz infuses cosmic and fantastical
imagery to give the reader a sense of "other worldliness."
-
- Maitz, a Connecticut native, has been a freelance illustrator
since 1975 and has earned national acclaim for his book covers and fantasy
and science fiction art.
-
-
- Tim O'Brien (b. 1964)
-
- "GULF," 1993
- For GULF by Robert Westall
- Scholastic, Inc., New York, 1996
-
- Oil on canvas
- Gift of the artist, 1990.30 LIC
-
- Set at the time of the Gulf War, Robert Westall's young
adult novel GULF is a gripping story about Andy Higgins, a boy who
undergoes a psychological change and begins to believe he is Latif, a young
Iraqi soldier. Tim O'Brien's cover superimposes explosions and zooming
fighter jets over Andy's awestruck face, his eyes glowing as bombs dot
the horizon. Imagining the war through Latif's eyes, Andy's expression
conveys all of the horror and confusion of war.
-
- O'Brien, a New Haven native, is an accomplished illustrator
and conceptual-realist artist. His most recent work includes the cover
art for Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy. His work has also been
featured in Time Magazine, National Geographic and many other publications.
-
-
- James Tanaka (b. 1917)
- Concept by Robert Kraus
-
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse, 1979
- For Walt Disney Studios
-
- Gouache on paper
- Gift of Deborah Pfeiffenberger, 2003.26 LIC
-
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse emerged from the studios of Walt
Disney in 1928 and have been beloved characters ever since. In this image,
James Tanaka has playfully depicted them along with other familiar Disney
faces for a 1979 Mickey Mouse calendar.
-
- Tanaka worked at Walt Disney Studios for many years,
becoming Art Director for Merchandising in 1981.
-
-
- Vincent Di Fate (b. 1945)
-
- "Space is a Form Turned in on Itself," 1992
- Cover illustration for Path of Fire by Charles
Ingrid
- Scholastic Inc., 1992
-
- Acrylic on hardboard
- Gift of the artist, 1999.38 LIC
-
- incent Di Fate's illustration for Charles Ingrid's science
fiction novel Path of Fire explores an unfamiliar galactic landscape.
The story follows the journey of a gifted alien pilot named Palaton and
a human named Ran. The two heroes are linked telepathically and must work
together to prevent the outbreak of civil war and chaos on Palaton's planet.
-
- Di Fate received the Hugo Award for Best Professional
Artist in 1979, and his works can be seen at the National Air and Space
Museum in Washington, D.C.
Max Ginsburg (b. 1931)
-
- "The Friends," 1981
- For The Friends by Rosa Guy
- Bantam Books, 1981
-
- Oil on canvas
- Gift of the artist, 1999.36 LIC
-
- The Friends, based on Rosa
Guy's coming-of-age story, features Edith and Phyllisia, who share a private
moment while riding on the subway. Ginsburg clearly captures their knowing
expressions and invites curiosity about their secret.
-
- A long-term resident of New York City, Ginsburg paints
ordinary people in everyday situations that range from crowded subway rides
to solitary apartment interiors. Reflecting the spirit of social realism,
he finds beauty in the unglamorous reality of everyday life.
-
-
- Art Seiden (1923-2004)
-
- "Noah's Ark," 1957
- For The Story of Noah's Ark by Oscar Wiegle
- Grosset & Dunlap, New York, 1957
-
- Gouache on paper
- Gift of the artist, 1993.35 LIC
-
- Art Seiden's illustration can be found on the endpapers
-- the front and back pages -- of Oscar Weigle's 1957 book The Story
of Noah's Ark. While most endpapers are left blank, or very simply
decorated, children's books typically include a thematic illustration like
this one. According to the Biblical story, Noah was commanded by God to
construct the ark in order to save himself, his family and forty pairs
of animals before the Great Flood would destroy the rest of mankind as
punishment for its sins.
-
- Seiden is best known for his children's book illustrations
as well as his personal publications. Working mainly in watercolors and
in gouache, he
- completed over 300 book illustrations and authored 22
books.
-
-
- N. C. Wyeth (1882-1945)
-
- "'One More Step, Mr. Hands,' said I, 'And I'll Blow
Your Brains Out'," 1911
- For Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Scribner's Classics, New York, 1911
- Oil on canvas
- Harriet Russell Stanley Fund, 1953.18
- One More Step, Mr. Hands
is one of 17 paintings N.C. Wyeth completed to bring Robert Louis Stevenson's
immortal tale of pirates, treasure and mutiny to life. Survival hangs in
the balance as the young hero of Treasure Island, Jim Hawkins, squares
off against the pirate Israel Hands. The sharp diagonal and fierce body
language of the combatants make it one of the most dramatic and exciting
of all American illustrations.
-
- Wyeth's illustrations for Treasure Island were
so successful that they led to his work on over 25 other Scribner's Classics,
including Robinson Crusoe, The Last of the Mohicans and Robin
Hood. Today, Wyeth is remembered as one of the most significant and
prolific artists of the Golden Age of American Illustration.
-
-
- Walt Disney Productions
-
- "Scene from Pinocchio," 1939
- For the animated film Pinocchio, 1940
-
- Celluloid painting (animation cel)
- Bequest of Helen Vibberts, 2006.88 LIC
-
- In this scene from the second feature film ever created
by Disney, Pinocchio and his adoptive father Geppetto navigate the choppy
waters on a small raft after escaping from the belly of a whale. This painting
on clear celluloid acetate provides a glimpse into the animation technology
of the 1940s. For every slight movement of a character, a separate picture
was made. The pictures were then photographed and projected on the screen
in rapid succession to create the illusion of motion.
-
- Most original Disney paintings were destroyed after the
debut of each movie. Those that were released into the art market are included
in many important museum collections throughout America, including the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, the Phillips Collection,
the Cleveland Museum of Art, and of course, the New Britain Museum of American
Art.
-
-
- Jean Day Zallinger (b. 1918)
-
- "Great Horned Owl," 1995
- From The Book of North American Owls
- By Helen Roney Sattler, Clarion Books, New York, 1995
-
- Watercolor and colored pencil
- Gift of Rudy Zallinger, 1999.41 LIC
-
- Jean Day Zallinger's illustration of the Great Horned
Owl perched on a tree against a night sky appears on the cover of The
Book of North American Owls. The book presents a comprehensive, yet
easy-to-understand overview of the 21 North American owl species and highlights
their habitats, sizes and behaviors.
-
- Zallinger taught illustration and drawing classes at
Paier College of Art in Hamden, Connecticut. Much of her work centers on
animals and plants, like Biography of a Leaf (1972), Sea Creatures
Do Amazing Things (1981) and Discovering What Earthworms Do
(1989).
-
-
- Walter Wick (b. 1953)
-
- "Arrival," 1999
- For I Spy: Treasure Hunt: A Picture Book of Riddles
by Jean Marzollo & Walter Wick
- Scholastic Inc., New York, 1999
-
- Archival C-print
- Gift of Linda Cheverton-Wick and Walter Wick, 2005.1_2
-
- Arrival comes from one of
Walter Wick's many I Spy books that challenge us to find hidden
objects in the picture. For I Spy: Treasure Hunt, A Picture Book of
Riddles, Wick constructed an entire village in miniature scale and
then photographed it from several points of view.
-
- When looking at Arrival, try to "spy:"
-
- "a seahorse, a thumbtack, a cone,
- Scissors, a dolphin, a spoon, TELEPHONE;
- A penny, a dog, and a rolling pin.
- A hanger, a hatchet, and DUCK POND INN."
-
- Award-winning author and illustrator Walter Wick lives
and works in Connecticut. His first museum retrospective was held at the
New Britain Museum of American Art in 2006.
-
-
- Richard "Dick" Calkins (1895-1962)
-
- "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Comic Strips,"
1934
- National Newspaper Service Syndicate
-
- Ink on card
- Gift of Lon C. Hill, 1968.93.1 (A&B) LIC
-
- Buck Rogers is an action hero in one of America's first
science fiction comics. Here, Buck shows that he can fight evil under the
sea as well as in outer space. The character reflected America's growing
interest in science fiction and the real advances in technology that were
rapidly changing the country and the world.
-
- Dick Calkins, the original artist for the comic strip,
drew it from 1929 until 1947. He began his illustration career after serving
in WWI in the Army Air Service (just as had his best known character, Buck
Rogers!).
-
-
Wendell Minor (b. 1944)
-
- "Portrait of Buzz Aldrin, Gemini XII," 2009
- For Buzz Aldrin: Look to the Stars, text by Buzz
Aldrin Penguin Group Inc., New York, 2009
-
- Gouache watercolor
- 2009.111.1 LIC
-
- In his illustrations for Buzz Aldrin: Look to the
Stars, Wendell Minor uses accurate detail and a colorful style to show
America's fascination with air travel and space exploration, past and future.
-
- Portrait of Buzz Aldrin, Gemini XII depicts Aldrin's first space flight, and in First Moon Landing,
he and Neil Armstrong land on the surface of the moon. In Look to the Stars
and Your Future in Space, Minor places his young readers in the role of
the discoverer. The book is dedicated "To a new generation of young
explorers. May you learn from those who have gone before."
-
- Minor, an award-winning artist, lives in Washington,
Connecticut, where his love of nature and concern for the environment strongly
influence his work.
-
-
- Cora Lynn Deibler (b. 1963)
-
- "Kitten on the Keys," 2001
- For a poem by Robert Hallmann, Spider Magazine
- By Cricket Magazine Group, Carus Publishing, Chicago,
April 2002
-
- Watercolor and ink on paper
- Gift of the artist, 2012.24 LIC
- A kitten scampers across the keyboard causing a commotion.
The wary canary watches the noisy fun unfold. Just like the kitten, Cora
Lynn Deibler's vivid, colorful work seems to jump off the page.
-
- Deibler is a Connecticut-based artist who has created
a wide range of illustrations for children's books, including the Dangerfield
Twins series, as well as books, stories and poems for adults.
-
-
- Harrison Cady (1877-1970)
-
- "Cartoon for Burgess Series," 1916
- For Life magazine, September 6, 1917
-
- Ink and wash on paper
- Harriet Russell Stanley Fund, 1954.37 LIC
-
- In Cartoon for Burgess Series, Harrison Cady presents
a highly-detailed drawing of silly, anthropomorphic animals. Here, Mr.
Possum has asked Artist Frog to paint his portrait upside down as their
friends eagerly observe them. Mr. Turtle remarks in the caption that appears
in the magazine, "Great Heavens! What's the matter?" Artist Frog
replies, "Why, I've just got a commission to paint Mr. Possum's portrait,
and he insists on posing upside down."
-
- Cady spent his career primarily as a magazine illustrator
for Life, Saturday Evening Post, Country Gentleman, Ladies' Home Journal
and other publications. His best-known work was his series of illustrations
of the early Peter Rabbit as conceived by the author Thornton W. Burgess.
- James Warhola (b. 1955)
-
- "Down He Climbed, Faster than a Falling Bean, to
Show his Mother the Magic Hen," ca. 1989
- For Jack and the Beanstalk retold by Susan Pearson
- Simon and Schuster Inc., New York, 1989
-
- Watercolor and ink on paper
- Gift of the artist, 1997.36 LIC
-
- In his illustration for Jack and the Beanstalk,
James Warhola beautifully captures Jack's escape from the giant with his
stolen treasure (a magic hen) in hand. Warhola's handling of color and
perspective from soaring, frightful heights ignites the excitement and
suspense of Jack's descent.
-
- Warhola, nephew of the renowned Pop artist, Andy Warhol,
is a successful artist in his own right. He has designed over 300 science-fiction
and fantasy covers. Since 1987, he has concentrated on illustrating children's
books. His latest releases include picture books of the Rodgers and Hammerstein
songs The Surrey with the Fringe on Top and My Favorite Things.
-
-
- Lulu Delacre (b. 1957)
-
- "Señor Cat's Romance," 1997
- From Señor Cat's Romance and Other Favorite
Stories from Latin America by Lucia M. Gonzalez
- Scholastic Press, New York, 1997
-
- Watercolor and gouache on Arches cold press watercolor
paper