WOW! Dwyer's work looks more and more impressive with these latest dramatic attention-grabbing scenes. The thing that strikes me is that the high drama scenes, powerful gestures and theatrical lighting effects disappeared from the mainstream magazines, after the 1950s', especially during the 60s'. Obviously, public taste was changing rapidly and the stories reflected that. Following these trends from the turn of the century on, is an insight into a part of American culture and history. At that time, I was aware of the changes, but never really gave much thought as to why. Just keeping up with heavy schedules, tight deadlines, and pursuing new clients and sources of work in the industry, dominated my attention.
I think TI is a great source of following that period which was the pivoting point in advertising and illustration, as well as attitudes in our culture.
Yes, aside from what we today refer to as "men's sweat' magazines (the adventure mags like Saga, True, Argosy, etc.) there weren't a lot of venues left for this sort of art in the mainstream, where there?
With the Collier's gone and the SEP fading, with Cosmo's budget reduced to the point where they could only afford to purchase one story illustration a month, and (similar situations at other magazines, no doubt) I suppose there really wouldn't have been much call for this sort of stuff.
Mind you, the paperback cover market was growing by leaps and bounds, so I guess there might have been some new opportunities as well.
WOW! Dwyer's work looks more and more impressive with these latest dramatic attention-grabbing scenes. The thing that strikes me is that the high drama scenes, powerful gestures and theatrical lighting effects disappeared from the mainstream magazines, after the 1950s', especially during the 60s'. Obviously, public taste was changing rapidly and the stories reflected that. Following these trends from the turn of the century on, is an insight into a part of American culture and history. At that time, I was aware of the changes, but never really gave much thought as to why. Just keeping up with heavy schedules, tight deadlines, and pursuing new clients and sources of work in the industry, dominated my attention.
ReplyDeleteI think TI is a great source of following that period which was the pivoting point in advertising and illustration, as well as attitudes in our culture.
Tom Watson
Tom;
ReplyDeleteYes, aside from what we today refer to as "men's sweat' magazines (the adventure mags like Saga, True, Argosy, etc.) there weren't a lot of venues left for this sort of art in the mainstream, where there?
With the Collier's gone and the SEP fading, with Cosmo's budget reduced to the point where they could only afford to purchase one story illustration a month, and (similar situations at other magazines, no doubt) I suppose there really wouldn't have been much call for this sort of stuff.
Mind you, the paperback cover market was growing by leaps and bounds, so I guess there might have been some new opportunities as well.