The Universal Favorite
by Bob Pardue
Title
The Universal Favorite
Artist
Bob Pardue
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
The universal favorite (1889) by George H. Walker & Co. Original public domain image from the Library of Congress. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel and Bob Pardue.
George H. Walker, a recognized American illustrator, was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1887. His early life was marked by frequent moves between Chattanooga and Philadelphia due to his father’s unstable employment. Walker developed a passion for drawing at an early age, and although he never received formal art training, his talent was quickly noticed by editors at Harper’s Magazine who published his work when he was only 19 years old. During World War I, Walker served as a combat artist in Europe, and it was during this time that he honed his craft and developed a signature style that made him one of the most influential illustrators of the 20th century. Walker's reputation grew exponentially in the decades that followed, and he went on to become one of the most prolific illustrators in history. He produced artwork for countless magazines, books and newspapers, and was also commissioned to do paintings for institutions such as the National Geographic Society, the Smithsonian Institute and the Library of Congress. His work was characterized by its bold brush strokes, vibrant colors and detailed compositions, and he was known for his distinctive and sometimes whimsical portrayals of everyday life. Walker’s legacy lives on today in collections around the world, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Library of Congress. Thoroughly modern in his approach, Walker used his art to capture the spirit of the American experience and shared it with the world.
Uploaded
March 4th, 2023
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