8 7/8 x 11 3/4 900 color illustrations US and Canada Distribution ART A comprehensive visual reference work detailing the fascinating history of modern American illustration, The Illustrator in America covers 140 years and over 450 artists. Walt Reed, a respected historian, has done a masterful job of selecting the most important and appropriate works to represent each artist in this remarkable guide. The book, which is organized chronologically, begins with a timeline presenting the various influences of styles, schools, and "isms" over the course of the entire period covered-1860-2000. Each chapter is devoted to a single decade, and opens with introductory commentary on the general history and artistic trends of the period; this is followed by individual entries on the lives and work of the outstanding artists of the decade. Packed with color illustrations and clearly presented information, this invaluable reference deserves a place in the library of anyone interested in understanding the history of modern illustration in the United States. Most comprehensive reference guide available detailing the history of modern American Illustration Covers the work and life of more than 450 great American illustrators Beautifully photographed and designed includes visual studies of over 450 premier artists including.... John Wolcott Adams Harold Anderson Vernon Howe Bailey John Collier Joe DeMers Frank Vincent DuMond Robert Fawcett Gervasio Gallardo Theodore Geisel Charlotte Harding Maud Humphrey Rockwell Kent Louis Loeb Louise Patterson Marsh Maxwell Parrish Chris Payne Norman Rockwell Nancy Stahl Ross Barron Storey Leslie Thrasher Alberto Vargas Sarah S. Stilwell Weber Jack W. Welch
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Historian and illustrator Reed here expands the time frame of two previous editions of The Illustrator in America, reaching back to 1860 and forward to the present. His previous editions included the periods from 1900 to the 1960s (the first edition, published in 1966) and 1880 to 1980 (the second edition, published in 1984). His son, art curator and writer Roger Reed, served as coauthor of the second edition and editor of this new edition. A side-by-side comparison of the three editions shows significant differences, so libraries holding the previous two will want this as a supplement. The selected "outstanding" artists have increased to almost 650, and the single examples of each previous artist's work are different. In addition, more reproductions are in color, and contemporary digital developments bring it up to date. Two aspects keep the work from being as useful to researchers as it could be: the pictures are generally presented without the text they would have originally illustrated, thus losing their graphic context. Also, the bibliography is a very general one the artist entries do not have individual bibliographies. Recommended for the ready-reference areas of public and academic libraries. Anne Marie Lane, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
This is the third edition of this standard art reference work, and coverage has been expanded and enhanced. The first edition (1964) covered 1900 to 1960; the second (1984) covered a century, 1880 to 1980. This version goes back to the Civil War and continues into the twenty-first century. The basic format remains the same. The history of American illustration is outlined decade by decade through a series of biographical essays on noteworthy artists accompanied by representative illustrations. The essays range in length from a couple of paragraphs to a couple of pages. The author packs a great deal of information into the brief entries: training, influences, life circumstances, career highlights, notable works, and lasting contributions or influences to the field. The illustrations have been well chosen and are crisply reproduced in a full-color process. One innovation in this latest offering is that now all of the reproductions are in color. As a result, almost all artists are represented by works new to this edition.
Entries chronicle the achievements of more than 450 artists, among them printmakers Currier and Ives; caricaturist Al Hirschfeld; Kewpie creator Rose O'Neill; graphic novelist Art Spiegelman; book illustrator Chris Van Allsberg; and Alberto Vargas, known for his pinup girls. A time line provides an overview of major artistic influences. A selected bibliography of print sources and an index of artists complete the work. There are no sources cited for individual entries because, as explained in the introduction, "the information is an amalgam from many sources," including questionnaires, reference works, and periodicals.
This new edition will be welcomed by collections that support an art curriculum. Those libraries that own the first two editions will want to update because of the expanded chronological coverage, the use of color throughout, the introduction of new art reproductions, and the addition of new artists to every decade. The vivid illustrations and historical arrangement make for delightful browsing. Recommended for secondary, academic, and public libraries. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By T. Tennard
In my opinion there are not enough books available about the field of illustration. I am generally disapointed when I go to a book store and I see stacks of books devoted to graphic design and so few devoted to Illustration. When a book like "The Illustrator In America" comes along I will definately pick it up. This book is a wonderful addition to the library of illustrators as well as those who love this artform. As an aspiring illustrator myself this book is such a treasure. Not only does it provide history it is also a deep well of inspiration. Whatever field one may be in it is always important to know it's history. This book provides a great many examples of the work of prominent illustrators dating back to the 1860's. I was introduced to dozens of illustrators that I was not familiar with. Each artist is represented by one illustration and a biographical paragraph. The "big" illustrators like Parrish, Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, C.F. Payne, Bernie Fuchs, Milton Glaser, etc are given 1-2 pages and 2-4 illustrations. "The Illustrator In America" is a good compliment to Apri Ermoyan's "Famous American Illustrators". Thank God for The Society Of Illustrators for putting these books together. I look forward to many more wonderful books like this in the future.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Rich
Amazon Verified Purchase
Walt Reed has done it again! This time, he's added another 40 years to his sweeping survey of American illustrators. If you own the previous two editions of this work, you won't want to miss this updated treatment of Reed's subject. He's provided sumptuous new examples of the art of old favorites, and added a fine roster of previously unprofiled illustrators. The reproductions are gorgeous (this time around, they're ALL in color) and the book is beautifully designed. The price makes it a bargain. Highly recommended!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By N Lane
You won't find a better overview of the history of American Illustration. Walt Reed has beefed up the number of illustrators and provided different examples of the ones from previous editions. Anyone who purchases this book will be rewarded with the knowledge that what these artists accomplished was not only beautiful to look at but also a record of the period that they lived. More books like this should be written. If there is anything to complain about,it is the resolution on a small few of the examples are rather fuzzy. This is a relatively minor matter but it is worth mentioning. Overall, this book is a must have especially to remember the "forgotten" illustrators who contributed so much.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
This book is well organized, with gorgeous prints. Illustrations like these simply aren't being produced anymore, making this book all the more fascinating and valuable.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By FX artist
Amazon Verified Purchase
I have the original 82 publication of this book, but had to buy this edition because it has many additional artists from the civil war era all the way to the end of the millenium. I am glad there is a new rise of appreciation for some of the most under-rated artists of the past. This book contains a nice range of work with good reproductions. I only wish many of the images were printed in a larger format, but it probably would be difficult given the number of artists represented. In any case, I highly recommend this book for all lovers of art.
8 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By E. Johnson
What I wanted out of this book was an engaging art history examination of american illustration over the past two centuries. Something that gave proper respect and weight to a much maligned art form (Something exactly like the extraordinary Comics, Comix, and Graphic Novels published by phaidon). Instead I got a hybrid illustration annual and encyclopedia of artist bios. It's an ecclectic mix of greats rubbing elbows with the bad: NC Wyeth, Frazetta, Howard Pyle, Gibson, and Nast are presented beside a horde of Norman Rockwell clones and gaudy cowboy paintings. General overviews of time periods and the external influences on the art world in general are too brief for my liking. I would have liked to see more pictures per illustrator, but at five hundred pages it's already quite a hefty publication and a great deal of fun to spend tome time with. So despite my initial disappointment I have grown to like the book quite a bit and have spent many hours leafing through it.
One major complaint regards the selection of recent illustrators profiled, because their account of the state of contemporary illustration totally SUCKS. I think they only profiled society members because they waste pages on some seriously weak artists while avoiding the kind of great artists that jam pack the Spectrum annuals year after year. There is so much great work in those books but not a stitch of it shows up here. Not Phil Hale not Dave McKean not Rick Berry, not even Michael Wheelan. It's a disappointing conclusion for such a thoroughly researched book but nothing that can't be remedied in the Fourth Edition.
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