Biography
Joseph Christian Leyendecker (1874-1951) was one of the most prominent and financially successful American freelance commercial artists. He was born in Germany and immigrated to Chicago in 1882. He apprenticed at 16 to engraving house J. Manz & Co., producing his first commercial work, including 60 images for an illustrated Bible published by Manz. Leyendecker studied anatomy under John H. Vanderpoel at the Chicago Art Institute. In 1896, he and his brother Frank (1878-1924) enrolled at the Académie Julian in Paris. Studied under William Adolphe Bouguereau, Jean-Paul Laurens, and Benjamin Constant. While in Paris he saw work by Jules Cheret, Alphonse Mucha, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
He produced drawings and paintings for hundreds of posters, books, advertisements, magazine covers and stories. He is best known for his 80 covers for Collier’s Weekly, 322 covers for The Saturday Evening Post, and advertising illustrations for B. Kuppenheimer men’s clothing and Arrow brand shirts and collars.
He was a major influence on Norman Rockwell, who would follow Leyendecker in painting numerous covers for the Saturday Evening Post.
Nationality:
French
Dates:
(1874-1951)
Occupation:
Painter
Schools attended:
Académie Julian, Chicago Art Institute
Taught at:
Student of:
Rodolphe Julian, William Adolphe Boutuereau, Jean-Paul Laurens, Benjamin Constant, John H. Vanderpoel
Teacher of:
Group / Movement: