The great pulp magazine illustrators were truly brilliant. Always a composition emphasizing deep space, drawing your eye in instantly. Always a startling situation that grabs your attention, with a series of details that reveal themselves only on closer examination and help you parse the situation narratively — while at the same time leaving questions that you have to read the story to answer.
Filmmakers have much to learn from these guys.
The Three Marys and the Risen Christ, Duccio di Buoninsegna
Digging Out
Matthias Grünewald, Crucifixion, detail.
Illustration for “The Cabin”, Redbook magazine, 1954.
“Fire Fight For the Village”, story illustration, Stag magazine, circa 1965.
Click on the image to enlarge.
From the LACMA collection.
“Bonanza, The Comstock: A Caravan Returns to Gold Canyon”, American Weekly story illustration, 1947.
The Comstock Lode was the first major deposit of silver located in the United States, in 1858, in what is now Nevada but was then the western part of the Utah Territory. It created a rush similar to the California Gold Rush, leading to the founding of Virginia City — a place of fabulous wealth and vice — and the creation of the state of Nevada. The lode was pretty much played out by 1874. Virginia City has only about 1,500 residents today and makes its money mostly off of tourism, because many remnants of its former splendor are still standing, out in what is now the middle of nowhere.
A perfect story illustration — something interesting is going on here, in an interesting place, and you want to know what it is.
“Surprise On the Subway”, Men's Adventure magazine illustration — stunning use of a two-color palette.
I miss New York . . .
Eurasian Girl — a private, fine art painting by the great pin-up artist.
For women, the study of the human male has always been a subject of keen fascination . . .
Click on the image to enlarge.
Tenno Temple In Osaka, with thanks to Brandon Taylor . . .
“A Kiss From Johnny”, story illustration, McCall's Magazine, 1952.