Illustrator richard amsel, a wynnewood native and 1969 university of the arts graduate, made that posterand many others in his 15year. Dec, 2010 richard amsel was a prolific graphic artist and illustrator who created some of the most indelible images of the 70s and 80s. Three iconic movie poster artists you need to know. Im a visual art teacher, going on my fifteenth year of teaching. Cover illustration for the book by curt gentry new york.
The first indepth feature film documentary of illustrator richard amsel 19471985, who remains a titanic. Amsels style was a combination of pulpishness strong outlines and the swirling curves of art noveau. Illustrator of the lost art amsel signature 820x312. Together with bob peak, amsel was a major exponent of the illustrated poster, a form thats now completely vanished from cinema. For the first time, world vintage movie poster authority tony nourmand shares his personal selection of the 100 essential movie posters of all time. His magazine cover art, for tv guide especially, shimmered and his book covers gave his subjects an eloquence to match their own achievements. He could even do a reasonable and purposeful emulation of j c leyendecker see the sting. Lucille ball, amsel art, lucille ball art, ball lucille. May 20, 1978 tv guide cover featuring the cast of threes. From the author of the richard amsel article, adam mcdaniel. Inspired by artists like drew struzan, richard amsel, john alvin and. Bralow, who owned much of what was left of amsel s original work after the christies auction, himself tragically died from aids complications. Richard amsel 1947 1985 hired for first film poster work hello dolly while he was still attending art school. A retrospective, university of the arts rosenwaldwolf gallery 4150951409 article about the show on richard amsel movie posters on american art archives imp awards portraits in stardust.
The man behind the posters richard amsel biography the. Indiana jones and the raiders of the lost ark is an actionadventure film that. Richard amsel and triangle publishing publisher, 1972 1985 object type. Lucille ball, katharine hepburn, raiders of the lost ark illustrator richard amsel produced iconic images of these hollywood classics and countless others during the 70s and 80s that were seen by millions of tv and film fans on magazine covers and movie posters. I recently obtained an image of amsels original, which had different colors from the final, modified version. Personal gift from richard amsel s brother, michael. Find an indepth biography, exhibitions, original artworks for sale, the latest news, and sold auction prices. In his short life and career, amsel produced a number of posters, often far better than the movies they depicted, and usually ignored when those films were brought out on dvd strange, as at least once he was hired to do video art for a 1983 rerelease of a classic film.
Illustrator of the lost art presents the first indepth profile of legendary illustrator richard amsel 19471985, detailing the artists remarkable body of work, while chronicling an enigmatic life marked with personal heartbreak, celebrity friendships, creative genius, and a tragic end at the age of thirtyseven. See all original artwork by richard amsel explore related art collections. Richard amsel was born on 4th december 1947 and passed away on 17th november 1985. The artist has only recently turned his hand to book covers, but richard. While he was studying his proposed poster art for barbra streisands. To honor the premiere of the new indiana jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull teaser trailer, we wanted to direct everyone to a new online article about artist richard amsel, who illustrated two of the original raiders of the lost ark movie posters. The university of the arts has an exhibit that will rock your world. As amsel came to the attention of new yorks art enthusiasts, his illustrations caught the. He studied at that citys college of art, and exploded onto the new york art scene in 1970 after creating the poster art for barbra steisands film version of hello, dolly. Richard amsels relationship with tv guide began in 1972 when he was commissioned to do a portrait of the duke and duchess of windsor to coincide with a tv movie about them. See more ideas about tv guide, movie poster art and movie posters.
Illustrator of the lost art, about the late artist richard amsel. The demand for traditional poster illustration was diminishing even before richard amsels death in late 1985, and in its wake came the rise of the digital age, photoshop, and floating heads. Nov 09, 2007 the amsel page at american art archives notes that the poster for the sting is a pastiche of the very popular and gay jc leyendecker whose magazine and advertising art was contemporary with the films setting. Apr 29, 2009 richard amsel, poster for raiders of the lost ark. Apr 12, 2009 richard amsel had an interesting story post mortem.
Amsel s art nouveau tendency echoes the resurgence the decorative style saw in the aftermath of the psychedelic revolution. The art of richard amsel motion picture and celebrity art. Born on december 4, 1947, he was raised near philadelphia, in the west side suburb of ardmore where his parents owned a toy store. Richard amsel tv guide cover, october dan rather, peter jennings tom brokaw this is the final work of art completed by richard amsel. Illustrator richard amsel, a wynnewood native and 1969 university of the arts graduate, made that posterand many others in his 15year career working with hollywood movie studios. Richard amsel posteritati movie poster gallery new york. As the story goes, and as the family or friends may confirm or amend, the irs put a very heavy value on the original art of these iconic poster images. This and other works by amsel are at rosenwaldwolf gallery. The early 1970s witnessed a keen interest in nostalgia. Robert mitchum the big sleep original 1sheet movie poster.
Thanks are due for todays post to sebastiane who reminded me of the poster art that richard amsel produced through the seventies up to the mideighties. Famous movie poster artist profiles base memorabilia. Unfortunately, his career was brief after being struck down with illness but stunningly successful, entailing a wide variety of commercial illustration work including album and magazine covers, it is perhaps richard amsels movie posters artwork that. It was opened for the first time to take the photo. Visualizza altre idee su vanessa redgrave, robert evans e john john. However, the biggest reason ive abstained from developing a book of my own is that an official art book was developed years ago by richards friend, gary bralow, with dorian hannaway and randal tolbert. It featuresartwork by richard amsel for the 1978 crime mystery romance,the big sleep set in england, rather than california, the story follows raymond chandlers book fairly closely otherwise. I teach students to think beyond the project, create individual and creative pieces through drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, book arts, design thinking, advanced conceptual art, and the ap studio art curriculum. Murder on the orient express pocket books cover art by richard amsel. Richard amsel began his career by winning the hello dolly movie campaign from 20th century fox while still an art student at the philadelphia college of art. Nov 25, 2018 may 20, 1978 tv guide cover featuring the cast of threes company. This is one of my favorites of all amsel s work and seeing the original in person as opposed to tv guides reproduction made me better appreciate the softer, more delicate colors amsel used.
Works on this page include book covers, advertisements, magazine illustrations, as well as amsels school and portfolio projects. Peak died in 1992, resulting from a tragic accident. Jan 11, 2014 richard amsels artwork, evocative of earlier eras but infused with a modernists wit and selfconscious sense of style, graced the posters for many of the iconic american movies of the 1970s. You can visit richard amsel for more info about the film. A 1969 graduate of the philadelphia college of art now the university of the arts, amsel created some of the most recognizable, iconic show businessrelated imagery of the late 20th century before he died in 1985. Christies east new york the art of richard amsel may 20, 1987 christies staff on. However, the biggest reason ive abstained from developing a book of my own is that an official art book was developed years ago by richard s friend, gary bralow, with dorian hannaway and randal tolbert. Amsels cover art for time, featuring lily tomlin, was created in only two or three days. The most authoritative collection of original movie posters from classic hollywood to contemporary arthouse. But in that short time, he created some of the most iconic promotional images of the time in music, movies, and television.
He brings his vast experience and wealth of knowledge to these pages, defining a great or essential movie poster as. One of the most prolific and popular american illustrators of the 1970s and 1980s, richard amsel remains a titanic figure in the world of entertainment art. This is exactly the kind of thing that cant be done with ease today when the art is predominantly a product of digital techniques. Tell me that you love me, junie moon 2 1970 20 x 14 in. For 30 years, nourmand has been instrumental in redefining 20thcentury movie posters as an art form and a valuable collectible. As a student at the philadelphia college of art, richard amsel won a nationwide hello dolly movie poster contest sponsored by 20th century fox. As amsel came to the attention of new yorks art enthusiasts, his illustrations caught the attention of barry manilow, then a young singersongwriter named who was working with bette midler, a newly emerging entertainer in cabaret clubs and piano bars. Christies east new york the art of richard amsel may 20, 1987. I recently obtained an image of amsel s original, which had different colors from the final, modified version. She currently works at seattle academy of arts and sciences saas. Robert mitchum the big sleep original 1sheet movie. Jun 19, 2017 richard amsel 19471985 was an american artist and illustrator whose professional career spanned only 16 years, from 1969 to 1985. She has taught elementary art through high school art in painting, printmaking, drawing, ceramics, book arts, design thinking, advanced placement studio art, international. Now amsel s work lively, intimate and often iconic portraits, artwork and sketches will be exhibited for the first time in richard amsel.
Ballantine books, 1973 acrylic on paper laid to board. Shortly after graduating from philadelphia college of art, his proposed poster art for the barbra streisand musical hello, dolly. Unknown promotional illustration presume late 1960searly 1970s watercolor on pen, with acetate overlay. Amsel used this image as the mailer in his portfolio, sent to ad agencies and studios in the early 70s. In his short life and career, amsel produced a number of posters, often far better than the movies they depicted, and usually ignored when those films were brought out on dvd strange, as at least once he was hired to do video art. The essential collection features stunning images from famous designers like saul bass, paul rand and bill gold. Learn about the artist and see available works for sale. Richard amsels artwork, evocative of earlier eras but infused with a modernists wit and selfconscious sense of style, graced the posters for many of the iconic american movies of the 1970s. He created a total of 37 covers for the magazine over the next years.
Mad max beyond thunderdome movie postermad max iiimexican lobby card and a great selection of related books, art. Lucille ball, amsel art, lucille ball art, ball lucille, art ball, ball art, richard amsel, lucy richard, richard lucy, i love lucy art. He later went on to create artwork for several movie posters and magazines, including over 40 notable illustrated covers for tv guide the raiders of the lost ark movie poster illustration by richard amsel employs a signature crisp style, a. Within that brief time, he reached the top of the profession he had entered while still an illustration student at the philadelphia college of art in. Lucille ball, amsel art, lucille ball art, ball lucille, art. His career was brief but prolific, including movie posters, album covers, and magazine covers. Sadly, richard amsel passed away in 1985, but luckily a documentary is currently being made by filmmaker adam mcdaniel about his life and work and will include interviews with other master illustrators like greg hildebrandt as well as flash gordon star, sam jones. Richard amsel artist, fine art prices, auction records. Richard amsel artist, fine art prices, auction records for. The artful nostalgia of richard amsel the lady eves. His portrait of comedienne lily tomlin for the cover of time is now part of the permanent collection at the smithsonian institution. Bralow, who owned much of what was left of amsels original work after the christies auction, himself tragically died from aids complications. Amanda is both an artist and a national board certified visual art educator nbct k12th, in seattle.
Richard amsel december 4, 1947 november 17, 1985 was an american illustrator and. Some of the most well known and there are many shogun, clark gable and vivien leigh when gone with the wind debuted on television, ingrid. I was only twelve when he died, and it would be another fifteen years before i knew what the man even looked like much less the circumstances of his death, or the colorfulness of his life. A retrospective at his alma mater, the university of the arts known as the philadelphia college of art when he graduated in 1969. The art of richard amsel was originally published in our star notes magazine in spring, 1993, and is one in a series of electronic reprints from our archives. Christies east new york the art of richard amsel may 20. Personal gift from richard amsels brother, michael.
Richard amsel had a brilliant but tragically short career that flamed out with aids. Weekly updaterichard amsels hollywood at rosenwaldwolf gallery. May 28, 2012 richard amsel december 1947 november 17, 1985 was an american illustrator and graphic designer. It is now part of the smithsonian institutions permanent collection. Later in the 70s, amsel leaned towards realism in the vein of classic american illustrators like norman rockwell and j. Richard amsel studied at the philadelphia college of art in philadelphia, pennsylvania.
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