Customer Reviews

The J. C. Leyendecker Collection: American Illustrators Poster Book

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You might not know his name but if you've ever seen the cover of The Saturday Evening Post, then you've probably seen at least on of his unforgettable images. Back in the hey day of commercial illustration Leyendecker was a celebrity. He practically created the look so associated with such publications. His dapper, muscular men and angelic women graced magazine covers and countless advertisements. His Arrow shirt man, based on the likeness of his live-in lover, was a star all his own. Whether it was his annual New years babies, homoerotic portryals of masculinity, or Norman Rockwellian vignettes Leyendecker made his art look easy. Unfortunately, there is little available on his interesting life and artistry. This book is a wonderful showcase of his work, featuring oversized prints all ready for framing. He is an artist that should be known, remembered and honored. And if you're really a fan, keep your eye out for a very rare book on Leyendecker that I have only seen in auction.

This book establishes J. C. Leyendecker as one of the great & important, but now often overlooked, illustrators of the early 20th century. He was one of the most popular magazine & advertising artists of his time.

Leyendecker's subjects are people, all with strong character & expression, painted in exquisite detail. There are ancient warriors, magnificent football players & businessmen in fine suits portrayed as modern heroes of the 1920's.

The authors do an excellent job of profiling this very private man, explaining the development of his style and career. His working technique using many preliminary studies leading to a perfect finished painting is shown.

There are 16 full-page single sided plates showcasing a wide variety of Leyendeckers's finest work. They are printed in beautiful color on heavy stock and would look great framed. I really enjoyed learning about this great artist.

Useful mainly for the reproductions of the more popular drawings for those wanting prints to frame, this is now the only Leyendecker title in print. The Schau 1974 book, long out of print, is far better with more illustrations, although not as glossy. The book ignores the fact that JCL was gay and offers few of the many gay drawings and ads he did.

Every now and again this set of illustrations by J.C. Leydendecker appears and when it does it is advisable to buy it! While this book is far form a definitive exploration of Leydendecker's life or his place i American illustration, it is a resource of large scale reproductions of his magazine cover and ads, each with that inimitable Leydendecker 'perfect American male' look. With trends in art and illustration moving the way they do it is likely that Leydendecker will soon be 'imitated' by many. Some artists have already absorbed this genre and are making art that rings with the same sense of period yet timelessness that Leydendecker was able to achieve. Chief among these is the popular artist R. Kenton Nelson.

For the admirer of J.C.Leydendecker, this is a little treasure collection! Grady Harp, March 11

This book is the best presentation of Leyendecker yet. Unless if you could find the other one which has been out of print for 24 years. This is an oversized book so you could see more details and the print quality is top notch. It is highly recommended.

What can I say! This is a book about one of the times biggest geniuses. I knew about Rockwell, but little about Leyendecker. This book gives you a small insight about leyendecker`s life and art. You have a few amazing scetches, and selected illustrations. And a small bibliografy of the artist, family and friends. Although there is much information you don`t get, and you may find it dissappointing It`s lacking in indepth research. Or maybe an possible edit from the publisher of the book!

I do share the opinion that J C Leyendecker is a great american illustrator and deserves the same fame Norman Rockwell has today - Perhaps because his work has never or scarcely been reprinted in a complete review of his contribution to american Illustration

J.C. Leyendecker is one of my favorite Illustrator's! I wish that MORE books were available on his work. A huge volume of "Saturday Evening Post" covers, such as the ones Norman Rockwell has out; would be fantastic! Why has nobody published a *complete* works of J.C. Leyendecker is beyond me?

His use of color and design are just beautiful to look at! Please...I have this book, and the Schau book, but still want something MORE complete, and don't know why it hasn't been done yet?

I can find endless books on Rockwell...but only 2 on Leyendecker...a real shame to the fans of JCL's work!