Howard Pyle
1853-1911
BORN IN
Wilmington, Delaware
KNOWN FOR
Illustration, teaching, history and marine genre painting
The illustrations of HOWARD PYLE (1853-1911) are as exciting now as they were a hundred years ago, while pictures by many of his contemporaries today look dated and mannered.
Several special qualities combined to make Pyle America’s foremost illustrator. Pyle was interested in pictures, first of all, as drama. As a young man his initial reaction to a theatrical performance had made a great impression on him and influenced his point of view from then on. In his illustrations, Pyle sought to dramatize themes with universal appeal. The pictures portrayed basic human emotions: the ruthlessness of pirate greed, raw grief in the break-up of Lee’s army after Appomattox, smug pride, humble petition.
