One of the most prolific and successful artists of the Golden Age of American Illustration, J. C. Leyendecker captivated audiences throughout the first half of the 20th century. Leyendecker is best known for his creation of the archetype of the fashionable American male with his advertisements for Arrow Collar. These images sold to an eager public the idea of a glamorous lifestyle, the bedrock upon which modern advertising was built. He also was the creator instantly recognizable icons, such as the New Year’s baby and Santa Claus, that are to this day an integral part of the lexicon of Americana and was commissioned to paint more Saturday Evening Post covers than any other artist.
Leyendecker lived for most of his adult life with Charles Beach, the Arrow Collar Man, on whom the stylish men in his artwork were modeled.
The first book about the artist in more than 30 years, J. C. Leyendecker features his masterworks, rare paintings, studies, and other artwork, including the 322 covers he did for the Post. With a revealing text that delves into both his artistic evolution and personal life, J. C. Leyendecker restores this iconic image maker’s rightful position in the pantheon of great American artists.
Ignore the textJanuary 4, 2009 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a FANTASTIC book! ...if you can avoid reading any of the text. The authors are self-indulgent and the editor seems to have been asleep at the wheel. On one page they say that Leyendecker's style and execution were so unique and distinctive that anyone on the street would recognize it immediately. On the very next page they say that Norman Rockwell imitated Leyendecker so thoroughly that people complained that it was difficult to tell the artists' work apart. They clearly would like to unseat Rockwell as the king of American illustration but it's a weak argument to begin with and becomes grating in its repetition and desperation. The whole book reads as a desperate attempt to convince the reader of Leyendecker's supremacy. Listen authors, we already like him; we bought the book didn't we?!
BUT... if you can put all the grammar school level writing aside and just look at the pictures you will have a really good time. There isn't much on his technique which I would have liked. I guess his technique was to be really good at drawing, then be really good at painting.
His clearest descendant seems to be Drew Struzan. He's one of few (if not the only) commercial illustrators these days whose style would be recognizable to anybody on the street. Most importantly, (to copycat illustrators like myself) he uses the same Art Nouveau-derived technique of laying in thick outlines on realistically painting figures. Both Leyendecker and Struzan use strong back lighting that rakes over the outline and creates a core shadow along the edge of the form which reinforces the outline. It creates a weird sensation of being real and fake at the same time. I love it!
All in all, this book is worth the price just for the pictures. Maybe for the next edition they'll add some more of his sketch pages and do a little editing on the text.
Leyendecker Book Great! But.....December 24, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought this for the great Illustrations,and haven't read the text yet,But from stupid comment about Coles Phillips ,I wonder how good it could be,Coles Had No Trouble Drawing and Painting Hands or any part of the Body,Maybe The writers were looking at a Fake:)!!
Great pictures, strange textDecember 21, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Just a little comment to agree with most of the people about the text from the authors of the book. Great illustrations, poor text. Comparing Leyendecker to Gauguin has no sense by example... I like very much the illustrators but commercial art is not Art.
Greatest Art Book Ever-Discount Negative CommentsDecember 20, 2008 0 out of 6 found this review helpful
A charming, intellectual and exceedingly accurate text, well-researched, and nothing else even approaches it, including bios on VanGogh, Picasso, and Gauguin. All negative comments are clearly from wannabees and sourpusses, inarticulate, incorrect reviews from undereducated jerkos. Push their rubbish aside and objectively read it for it is brilliantly written. Enjoy the best art book publisher (Harry Abrams) and his repros of JCL art works at their best - a great and laudable undertaking. Get the first edition if you still can-surely to become a valuable collectible. Recently ranked by Amazon; #1 for art books, #4 for fashion books and #5 for graphic design books-indicating the public knows best. But, a few malcontents can spoil anything in this computer age, and sometimes for no sound reason as exhibited here with a few the negative comments. A further indication of its superior quality follows:I recently read a friends copy and then tried to buy it, but it was back ordered until February-meaning it is selling out after a few short months. A gay friend bought ten copies for Xmas gifts and loaned me his copy (saying it is anything but homophobic,as one irate, uninformed so-called reviewer stated). He further said that the gay community considers the co-authors, not only super art historians,compelling writers of non-fiction, but also straight heroes! A committed Leyendecker fan, JGH
Excellent!December 16, 2008 0 out of 2 found this review helpful
The book is a surprise, probably believing could be one of those watershed biographies, this book reach all the aspects of his life, his siblings and his lover; and giving light about the artistic life surrounding JCL. No mention the Illustration are the thing you are drawn for having this book. Could be more pictures, but this is not a Summa pictorica of his work (It would be a enormous tome) ; But when publishing a book, you have to make decisions. At the moment is the best book about this American Illustrator.
