Joseph Christian Leyendecker

GERMANY (1874-1951) Illustration study "Basket of a variety of flowers", circa 1930s (?) Preliminary study for a Kuppenheimer advertisement of a bell hop delivering flowers to a man in a bowler with a cane.. Joseph Christian Leyendecker was one of the most prominent and financially successful freelance commercial artists in the U.S. He is best known for his 80 covers for Collier's Weekly, 322 covers for The Saturday Evening Post, and advertising illustrations for B. Kuppenheimer men's clothing and Arrow brand shirts and detachable collars. On May 20, 1899, Leyendecker received his first commission for a cover for The Saturday Evening Post launching a forty-four-year association with the magazine, introducing many iconic visual images and traditions including the New Year's Baby, the pudgy red-garbed rendition of Santa Claus, flowers for Mother's Day, and firecrackers on the 4th of July. Oil on canvas, Not signed 7.625 x 10.125 in. (19.37 x 25.72cm.) PRICE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST Giclée prints of this painting are available upon request.