1932
Joseph Christian "J.C." Leyendecker was born in Germany in 1874. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1882. His eldest brother, Adolph, became a prominent stained glass artist, and Joe, as he was called, had an early artistic calling.
After studying at the Chicago Art Institute under John H. Vanderpoel, J.C. Leyendecker enrolled at the Académie Julien in 1896, where he studied for a year with his younger brother Frank in the Beaux-Arts tradition. During his time there, he was exposed to and influenced by the works of Art Nouveau painters and printmakers Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Jules Chéret and Alphonse Mucha, with whom he formed a strong friendship. The next year, he staged his first one-man exhibition at the Salon du Champ-de-Mars and made the auspicious acquaintance of Paul Gauguin.
In 1898, Leyendecker produced the first of 48 covers for Collier’s magazine. The next year, he painted his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post magazine, which was the beginning of a 44-year association with that esteemed publication. Throughout his career, he would also paint covers for Life magazine, illustrations for a library of books, and transform advertising for such companies as B. Kuppenheimer & Co. and Interwoven Socks. His work for Arrow Shirt is the most well-known and beloved.
Using his lover and manager, Charles Beach, as a model, Leyendecker created the ultimate image of modern American masculinity. His work for Kuppenheimer, also known as the House of Kuppenheimer, is just as iconic. Founded in 1876, the company became the manufacturer of uniforms for the United States Army during World War I. Thanks to Leyendecker's advertising, the firm became synonymous with the ultimate in male taste and desirability.
Unfortunately, near the end of his career, as Leyendecker’s associations with Collier’s and The Saturday Evening Post came to an end, his work fell into obscurity. When he died in 1951, his great friend Norman Rockwell, who commemorated their relationship in his painting Waiting for the Art Editor, served as one of his pallbearers.
Find original J.C. Leyendecker prints and paintings on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by M.S. Rau)
Easter, Saturday Evening Post Cover April 19, 1930
By Joseph Christian Leyendecker
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Medium: Oil on Canvas Signature: Signed Lower Right Saturday Evening Post Cover, April 19, 1930
Canvas, Oil
The Politician, Saturday Evening Post Cover, 1916
By Joseph Christian Leyendecker
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Medium: Oil on Canvas Signature: Signed Lower Right Cover of The Saturday Evening Post, November 4, 1916 Literature: The Saturday Evening Post, November 4, 1916, illustrated on the ...
Canvas, Oil
The Candidate (Patriotic Politician), Saturday Evening Post Cover
By Joseph Christian Leyendecker
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Signature: Signed Lower Left Medium: Oil on Canvas Artwork Dimensions: 28" x 22" Framed 36" x 30" Saturday Evening Post Cover, September 18, 1920 - Leyendecker addressed the theme of American patriotism in several ways. His famous Fourth of July covers asserted the import of American independence through stock characters: George Washington, Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty, colonial Freedom Fighters, and modern-day soldiers. In addition, his World War I and World War II covers depicted soldiers proudly defending their country. Leyendecker also profiled U.S. presidents and historical figures - George Washington, Robert E. Lee, William Howard Taft...
Canvas, Oil
Sore Throat, Saturday Evening Post Cover
By Joseph Christian Leyendecker
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Signed by Artist Lower Right Saturday Evening Post Cover, November 22, 1930
Oil
First Long Suit, Post Cover
By Joseph Christian Leyendecker
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Signed by Artist Lower Right The Saturday Evening Post cover, September 18, 1937 One of the most prolific and sought-after artists of the Golden Age of Illustration, J.C. Leyendecker captivates the public with his striking, fashionable depictions of handsome men, glamorous women, and adorable children. Painted in 1937 First Long Suit not only encapsulates the high-fashion, glamorous fantasy world that Leyendecker strove to achieve over the course of his vastly successful career, it also poignantly captures a bittersweet moment that every parent experiences--watching our children grow up right before our eyes. Born in Montabaur, Germany, Leyendecker came to Chicago with his Catholic family at age eight. He apprenticed to a printer, J. Manz and Co., and then studied with John Vanderpoel at the Chicago Art Institute. In 1896, he won the Century magazine...
Oil
Water Wings, Saturday Evening Post Cover, 1922
By Joseph Christian Leyendecker
Located in Fort Washington, PA
Medium: Oil on Canvas Signature: Signed Lower Left Sight Size 24.00" x 19.00", Framed 32.50" x 27.00" Cover of The Saturday Evening Post, August 26, 1922. Exhibitions: JC Leyendecker...
Canvas, Oil
Large U. S. Census Saturday Evening Post newstand 1940 vintage poster
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Spokane, WA
Original poster: THE SAURDAY EVENING POST. Artist: Noman Rockwell. Size: 21.75" x 28". Archival linen backed in very fine condition. The painting for this original poster ...
Offset
Saturday Evening Post Cover, Evening Gown May 21st, 1938
By Neysa McMein
Located in Miami, FL
Pastel on board - Saturday Evening Post Cover, Evening Gown May 21st, 1938 - Reproduced version looks better because the Saturday Evening Post Art Director retouched the plates before printing and strengthened the colors to give it more newsstand appeal - Signed and inscribed lower left. Housed in an inexpensive period frame undlations to the board From Wiki : as an American illustrator and portrait painter who studied at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago and Art Students League of New York. She began her career as an illustrator and during World War I, she traveled across France entertaining military troops with Anita P...
Pastel
Vogue Magazine Cover – March 1, 1917 – Illustration by Frank X. Leyendecker
Located in Langweer, NL
Vogue Magazine Cover – March 1, 1917 – Illustration by Frank X. Leyendecker Elegant original Vogue magazine cover from March 1, 1917, featuring an exquisite illustration by Frank Xa...
Paper
Freedom From Fear original 1943 Four Freedoms vintage poster
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Spokane, WA
Original World War II "Freedom from Fear" Ours ... To fight for by Rockwell. One of the 4 freedom posters created in 1943 by Norman Rockwell. Fre...
Offset
Original Saturday Evening Poster newsstand 1940 vintage poster linen-backed
Located in Spokane, WA
Original 1940 Saturday Evening Post Newsstand Poster by Albert W. Hampson – "St. Paddy Cake for Policemen" – Linen-Backed Vintage Advertising Display Rare and charming original vint...
Offset
Medicine (Sepia) Lithograph Print, American Impressionist, Signed AP Edition
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand signed and numbered by the artist. From Tom Sawyer Portfolio. Sheet size 25.5 x 19.5 inches. Image size approx 17 x 13 inches. Frame size approx 28 x 24 inches. AP edition. ...
Paper, Lithograph
