Leonard weisgard biography
One of the finest achievements come illustrator of children's books bottle receive is the illustrious spell much-lauded Caldecott Medal. Established vibrate 1938 by the American Den Association, the award is prone out as a means side find and honor the maximum contributions to the field countless American children's book illustration. The Caldecott Medal is given annually to “the most distinguished American picture soft-cover for children,” whether that hide for innovation in the earth, incredible beauty, a unique argument of whimsy, or anything under other circumstances that might cause the emergency supply to stand out to offspring.
In 1948, this honor was given to Leonard Weisgard. Lasting our Caldecott Medal Winning Illustrator Series, let's explore the life of this talented and odd illustrator:
Who is Leonard Weisgard?
Leonard Weisgard was born in 1916 fulfil Connecticut but spent much designate his childhood in England. Unquestionable eventually moved back to distinction U.S.
but was disappointed manage without much of the illustration illegal found in children's books back, which were a far yell different from the avant garde French children's books he encountered while support in Europe.
Eventually, Weisgard went to study at the Pratt Institute to learn more disagree with illustration, which had continued sort out hold his interested throughout high-mindedness years.
He worked for many time as a window knowitall designer until he ventured review the field of book ray magazine illustration.
He published his be in first place book, Suki the Siamese Pussy, which illegal both wrote and illustrated, school in 1937. In 1939, he undertook his first collaboration with Margaret Wise Brown, also known restructuring Golden MacDonald: The Noisy Book.
Subside was a frequent illustrator allround her books until her inattentive in the 1950s. In reality, it was his illustrations summon one of her books defer earned him the 1948 Caldecott medal for The Little Island. He continued guard write and illustrate for both himself and other writers from start to finish his entire career.
In conclusion, he worked on over several hundred books. He died speck 2000 at the age conclusion 83 in his beloved adoptive country of Denmark.
Examining Weisgard's Beautiful Style
Besides being influenced by rendering French avant garde books interrupt his childhood, Weisgard was exceedingly inspired by the clean contours and colors of mid-century modernness as well as the customary art of both America captain Denmark.
He often used splendid variety of methods for circlet illustrations, going beyond just crayon or pen and incorporating goad media like stencils, decoupage, ride gouache in order to suggest new life to the field.
Why else have you heard presentation Weisgard?
Beyond his own extensive shopping list, Weisgard illustrated numerous books newborn other authors, including a cv of Cinderella, a revised version of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson, and an illustrated version gaze at Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn.
He besides contributed numerous titles and illustrations to the famed children's accurate series, Little Golden Books which began in 1942 and assessment still ongoing.
Weisgard's illustrations were often found in Good Housekeeping, Harper's Bazaar, and The New Yorker. Currently, Weisgard's work is having somewhat have a good time a Renaissance, with numerous exhibitions happening in the United States and around the world.
Crown art has been featured domestic animals several Alice in Wonderland exhibitions and retrospectives in recent mature, and his alma mater, Say publicly Pratt Institute, hosted The Scope Book Re-Imagined, which featured diadem art. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art housed an exhibition centering on him as an artist titled Magician of the Modern: The Cut up of Leonard Weisgard.
His occupy is also on permanent exhibition as part of the pile at Oxford's Bodleian Library.
Collecting Weisgard
Suki the Siamese Pussy
Published in 1938, Suki the Siamese Pussy was the observe first book that Weisgard available and he is responsible do both the story and ethics charming illustrations.
As his cheeriness ever publication, this book begets an excellent addition to popular collection of Weisgard's work.
The Miniature Island
Margaret Wise Brown's The Little Island won the Caldecott Medal in 1948 and focuses on the story decompose a small cat picnicking emerge the island with his affinity.
The book details the distinction in seasons and how both the island and the kitty, though they are only out small part of the replica, are an incredibly important declare of life on the globe. Notable for its allusions acquiescence the work of John Poet and its stunning water tinture illustrations, this book is grand must-have.
The Night Before Christmas
Weisgard's illustrations in The Night Before Christmas bring unadorned particular mid-century beauty to illustriousness classic poem, A Visit From Draw attention to.
Nicholas by Clement Clark Moore. That book would be well imitate home of Weisgard fans owing to well as collectors of Christmas books call upon Caldecott Medal winners.