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Ad Code: 3
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An example of work by Boris Artzybasheff
Artwork images are copyright of the artist or assignee
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This biography from the Archives of AskART:
|  Boris Artzybasheff was an illustrator of nearly 50 books, some of which he authored, and over 200 Time magazine covers. His themes during the 1940s primarily focused on the war with his powerful images being very satirical and insightful.
Boris Artzybasheff immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1922 at age 23. Being a superb draftsman, he was able to weave a light-hearted, yet strong flavor into his works. His illustrations were diverse, unique, and refreshing for the time. He had the ability to cover many ranges, and his work is reminiscent of Hirschfeld, Disney, Dali, Wolverton, and Wally Wood.
Because of his background he served as an advisor to the Psychological Warfare branch of the U.S. State Department during World War II.
Artzybasheff was awarded the Newberry Medal in 1928 for his illustrations in Dhan Mukerji's book, 'Gay Neck'. He died in 1965.
Source:
Walt Reed, "The Illustrator in America"
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How does one describe or categorize Boris Artzybasheff? From his very earliest work in 1922 as a 23 year old immigrant from Russia to his 200+ "Time Magazine" covers over a 24-year span, there is a common thread of strong design and a light heart. Equally at home with a portrait of Stalin and a Venusian do-it-yourselfer, he was a master of composition and a superb draughtsman.
He illustrated some 50 books, several of which he wrote. While his "Time" covers showcased his work to millions, he probably made the biggest impression on the American public with his insightful, satirical and powerful images done for "Life Magazine" in the early forties on the various faces of war. These humanize the aspects and weapons and villains of WWII in a comic but sobering way.
Many of these appear in his great book, "As I See". Also shown in great abundance therein are his Mechinalia - his anthropomorphic tools ranging from a monkey wrench to The Blooming Mill. Just the hilarious Neurotica would be a sufficient content, but with images as diverse as the one from The Circus of Dr. Lao and others reminiscent of Wally Wood, Hirschfeld, Dali, Disney and Wolverton, the full range of his work becomes apparent.
"Range" is the proper word for Artzybasheff, and this is obvious in his time covers--- Realistic portraits and almost surreal backgrounds, carefully crafted to suit each individual assignment. Always unique and fresh, yet unmistakably Artzybasheff.
After 1940, he devoted himself to commercial art. He was also an expert advisor to the U.S. Department of State, Psychological Warfare Branch during WWII. After seeing the Neurotica drawings in "As I See", this side of his career becomes less of a puzzlement.
Artzybasheff died in 1965. A book he illustrated, "Dhan Mukerji's Gay Neck", was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1928. Most of his book illustrations favored the crisp line and careful composition that are so distinctively his. Other books illustrated by him include: "Feats on the Fiord" (1924), "The Wonder Smith and His Son" (1927), "Mizra, Son of the Sword" (1934), and the dust jacket engraving for "All Things Are Possible" (1935) and some atypical, but stunning pencil drawings for Nansen (1940), probably the last book he illustrated.
Source:
http://www.bpib.com/artzybas.htm
Written, 1999, and submitted by Jim Vadeboncoeur, Jr., Bud Plant Illustrated, Palo Alto, CA.
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