Arty Farty Friday ~ Illustrators & The Golden Age

I'm a fan of illustrative art, especially that with roots in The Golden Age of Illustration (roughly 1880s to 1920s). Astrologically, that Golden Age coincided with a period of time when the outer planets were at points in their slow cycles strangely appropriate to what was going on here below.

Development of technology capable of good and economical colour reproduction launched illustrative art into the mainstream. In 1880 Uranus (technology and invention)was in Virgo, ruled by Mercury(planet of communication). Pluto and Neptune were both in Taurus ruled by Venus(planet of art and beauty). It could be said that the seeds of a relatively new industry fell upon fertile ground.

By 1900 Pluto (transformation) and Neptune(imagination) had moved on into Gemini, ruled by Mercury(communication). The generation born then brought us some exceptional communicators, in both art and writing. Uranus was now in Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter (expansion and publishing). The pieces fit.

By 1920 Uranus was traversing its own sign of Aquarius(change and all that's new) maintaining an atmosphere in which people craved novelty. The work of this new breed of artists was in demand. Colourful prints to hang in the home, book and magazine illustrations, illustrated postcards and commercial advertisements were becoming a part of everyday life, both in Europe and America.

In Europe artists such as Alphonse Mucha and Toulouse Lautrec had led the way. In the USA Howard Pyle is credited with ushering in the Golden Age. His many pupils, and others inspired by them, helped it flourish - Maxfield Parrish, Norman Rockwell, and J.C. Leyendecker, among the best known.

The digital age has now changed the scene for illustrators, almost beyond recognition. We may never again see the talent and skills of Rockwell, Parrish and Leyendecker - that is all the more reason to appreciate them.

From the hundreds of examples available I've chosen a few to represent artists from the USA, Britain and Denmark. From the USA, Norman Rockwell, J.C. Leyendecker and Maxfield Parrish. From Denmark Kay Nielsen. From Britain Walter Crane.

Starting with Britain and Walter Crane, because the first illustration is very relevant to the present - OWS an' all. (Walter deserves a post all to himself - maybe next week.)

FROM BRITAIN ~ WALTER CRANE



Proletarians ~~ Proletarier Aller Lander Vereinigt Euch!
[Workers of the World Unite!] by Walter Crane




Neptune's Horses




FROM THE USA:

NORMAN ROCKWELL(More + astrology in an archived post here.)



The Golden Rule




MAXFIELD PARRISH (More + astrology at archived post, here.)



Ecstasy




Stars



J.C. LEYENDECKER (More + astrology in archived post here.)









FROM DENMARK ~ KAY NIELSEN

Innuendo, eroticism from Rockwell and Leyendecker?

Continuing yesterday's theme, a look at two of the most popular, prolific and talented illustrators of them all from The Golden Age: Joseph Christian Leyendecker and Norman Rockwell.

Leyendecker was born in Germany but came to the USA as a child, with his parents (small illustration, left, is one of his). Rockwell, born 20 years later, idolized Leyendecker, it's easy to see similarities in their work. Both were perfectionists, and although both became fabulously wealthy - like pop stars of their time, neither could be said to have led an idyllic life. Their devotion to their art must have exacted a toll on their personal lives. Rockwell suffered from bouts of depression. He married three times, two of his wives also suffered from depression, and there are suspicions of suicide attempts in both cases. Leyendecker was gay. Nowadays we would say, "So what?" Back then it was not an easy lifestyle, too much publicity of the fact could have cut short a promising career.

Norman Rockwell's stereotypical homespun American scenes earned him the affection of the public. It has been suggested, in recent years, that there is hidden innuendo in some of his illustrations. This is really a case of "to the pure, all things are pure"....and the opposite applies! Perhaps Rockwell did, occasionally, insert items which could be seen as suggestive - playful, mischievous additions, which only those looking for such things would see. Most people didn't see them, and those who did, until fairly recently, kept quiet about it! For instance, is there a phallic symbol in his "Rosie the Riveter" illustration on the right? Leyendecker also used mild eroticism (see top of post) in some of his illustrations for commercial advertisements. He realised, good businessman that he was, that sex sells, and most of the work of both artists was used as some kind of "come-on" to customers.

Rockwell's Scorpio ascendant makes the idea of hidden sexual innuendo more believeable. Sexy Scorpio likes secrets! He was born February 3 1894 in Manhattan, New York, at 2am. Scorpio rising. Sun and Mercury conjoined in Aquarius, Moon in Capricorn, Virgo at midheaven.

Rockwell's chart is on the right, Leyendecker (12 noon version) left... should enlarge with a click.



There's an Air Grand Trine in Rockwell's chart, linking Mercury with Saturn and the Neptune/Pluto conjunction - a combination of communication, hard work, power and imagination - which served him well. His Scorpio ascendant may be linked with his bouts of depression. Scorpio is a highly emotional sign, fairly incompatible with his Aquarius Sun, and not too happy with Capricorn Moon either. Virgo at midheaven signifies his perfectionism. Sun and Mercury in humanitarian Aquarius, in my view, accounts for his insight into "the human condition", the way he was able to perceive the fun, the sadness, or the sentimental in everyday life, and paint these for the public to share. It's ironic that his own life didn't match his illustrations. Perhaps depicted life as he would have liked to experience it.

J.C.Leyendecker was born in Montabaur, Germany on 23 March 1874 (no time of birth available).
Sun, Venus and Neptune in Aries. Saturn in Aquarius (the sign it traditionally rules), opposing Aquarius's modern ruler Uranus in Leo. A strong opposition which may or may not relate to the challenge of being a gay man in those days. It was a newly acknowledged way of life, and challenged the establishment (as far as sexual orientation was concerned). A Mercury in Pisces/Jupiter in Virgo opposition involves mutual reception(each planet in the other's home sign) making each more potent. Mercury, the communication planet and Jupiter the publishing planet, two hugely important factors in Leyendecker's career are given emphasis. The perfectionist traits of Virgo, too are here. I wouldn't be surprised to find Virgo as his rising sign.

Sources:
Biography of Norman Rockwell (one of many)
Reconstructing Rockwell by Christina Larson
How Innocent Was He? by Richard Halpern
Leyendecker biography
more Leyendecker
Explore Google Image for more examples of the art of these two illustrators.