Handmade Holiday Cards by Twentieth-century Artists by Mary Savig


Handmade Holiday Cards by Twentieth-century Artists
Title : Handmade Holiday Cards by Twentieth-century Artists
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1588343308
ISBN-10 : 9781588343307
Language : English
Format Type : hardback
Number of Pages : 208
Publication : First published August 7, 2012

Handmade Holiday Cards shows how artists imagined the holidays through original watercolors, etchings, silk-screen prints, and drawings. Rarely seen beyond the eyes of their recipients, these cards confirm the irrepressible artistry of their senders. Handmade Holiday Cards offers personal insight into the style and sentiment of artists, including how they summed up the year's events in their own lives and the world in which they lived.

The introduction by archives specialist Mary Savig explores the intersections between commercial holiday cards and the art world--how holiday cards were first marketed as "affordable art" and how selling their art to card companies often provided income for artists in lean times. She then opens up the more intimate dimensions of an artist's social network, illuminating their relationships with dealers, curators, teachers, and close friends. Captions introduce each artist, compare or contrast the holiday card to his/her body of work, and discuss the relationship to the recipient when relevant.

Handmade Holiday Cards by Twentieth-century Artists Reviews

  • Pam

    I picked up this book at a used book sale and I am thrilled I did. It is full of artistic creativity that I enjoy looking at each holiday season. For people looking for traditional Christmas themes and styles, this book will probably be a big disappointment. But if artistic variety and creativity is your thing, this book is sure to please. Most of the artists featured are not well known but this collection from the Smithsonian's archives is wonderful!

  • Joy

    Very interesting if a bit random. After a few pages of history about Christmas cards and how artists made and sent them, the book is composed of many full colour images of handmade cards made by 20th century artists, usually individual drawings, paintings or prints though some were runs of prints, mostly done for cards for family and friends. Each is accompanied by a paragraph about the artist and the card (and sometimes the recipient).

  • Michelle

    One of my favorite art books ever. Inspiring and love the variety.