Louis John Rhead (American 1857-1926)

A noted illustrator of the Golden Age of Illustration, late 19th to mid-20th century, Louis John Rhead was born in England and emigrated to New York where he spent most of his career. There he was a member of the Architectural League, and the New York Watercolor Society.

Among his talents other than illustration were fine-art painting, etching, ceramic designing. He and his equally talented brother, George Wooliscroft Rhead, collaborated on editions of Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" and Tennyson's "Idylls of the King." Among the many books Louis Rhead illustrated are "Swiss Family Robinson," "Gulliver's Travels" and "Treasure Island." Although Rhead illustrated many childrens books and novels, he is best remembered for his posters, which are still reprinted. His very few original prints are very scarce.

Louis Rhead was froma family of well-known English artists, and was sent to Paris at the age of thirteen to study under Gustave Boulanger. Returning to England several years later, he continued his studies under Edward Pointer and Alphonse Legros. He returned to Paris where he became good friends with Eugene Grasset,a notedFrench Art-Nouveau artist, and was deeply influenced by him. He also exhibited work at the Paris Salon.

In 1888Rhead went to live in the United States where he was in the forefront of the American Art-Nouveau movement. During the Art Nouveau years of 1894 to 1896, Louis Rhead created lithographic posters for both "Century" and "Scribner's" magazines. The "Century Magazine" is known for its Art Nouveau posters during this period. He also had one-man exhibitions of his work in France, England and the United States.


Sources include:
www.wolmanprints.com
Peter Falk, "Who Was Who in American Art"