Monday, April 23, 2007

Oscar Cahén (1916-1956)

Oscar Cahén was one of the most successful and prolific illustrators in Canada during the 40's and 50's.


In the microcosm of the Canadian commercial art market, Cahén was far and away the most innovative, experimental and inspirational of his peers.


Cahén was really only beginning to fully mature as an artistic force when his life was tragically cut short at age 40.


This week let's take a look at a nearly forgotten giant of the mid-twentieth century Canadian art scene: Oscar Cahén.

*Most of the information and some of this week's images are from The Cahén Archives. Please visit the site for more artwork, photos and information about this great Canadian artist.

All of this week's images and information are © The Cahén Archives.

6 comments:

  1. It took me a second to see the joke in the first picture. How Canadian! ;)

    The last picture has some really nice color work. I love the look of that rail.

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  2. These are quite nice, a bit of a Beckoff influence I think.

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  3. Thanks for your comments. You'll be seeing quite a variety of styles from Cahén this week -- he was incredibly versatile and experimental.

    The last piece makes me think a little of James Jean, of all people... what do you think...?

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  4. Just outstanding. Thanks for posting these, Leif!
    I see both the Beckoff influence and the Jean comparison.

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  5. Thanks Allan -- I appreciate your comment! :-)

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