J. C. Leyendecker - The Iconic Illustrator of the Early 20th Century
You will hear about a fascinating artist – J. C. Leyendecker- who's illustrations epitomized the lifestyles of America in the early 20th century. Note: this will be a PG rated episode. His commercial art – primarily in magazines, became an iconic art style from the 1900's through the 1930’s.
Leyendecker was also a major influence for Norman Rockwell, one of America’s most beloved 20th century artists. You will learn of the evolution of Leyendecker's style – from the Paris art scene of the 1900’s to then reflecting the elegant lifestyle of the 1920’s that men and women strived for. But, in clever and subtle ways – his art also reflected his hidden lifestyle.
Episode markers (in mins:secs)
- Background – J. C. Leyendecker (3:20)
- Trip to Paris and development of style (5:05)
- Career with Saturday Evening Post & cover themes (7:50)
- Distinctive Leyendecker style & technique (12:10)
- Start of Arrow Collar ads & Charles Beach as model (14:23)
- The classic Leyendecker “look” (17:50)
- Hidden subtext in artwork (20:05)
- Artistic influence on Norman Rockwell (21:40)
- Later career – late 1920’s on (26:21)
- Start of collecting Leyendecker (27:51)
- Movie on Leyendecker – Coded (31.29)
- Exhibition – NY Historical Society (33:29)
Other links:
- National Museum of American Illustration:
People Hidden in History information:
Link to Leyendecker Webpage and Illustrations
Website: https://peoplehiddeninhistory.com
Direct link
Basic Website with all Episodes/All Platforms
Twitter(X)/Instagram: @phihpod
Mastodon: @phihpod@historians.social
Image credit: J. C. LEYENDECKER (1874-1951) , COUPLE IN BOAT - ARROW COLLAR AD , 1922, oil on canvas , 20 1/2 x 29 ½ , Arrow Collar advertisement