I know, it sounds like one of those magic words from Bedknobs & Broomsticks.
Simplicissimus was a satirical German weekly magazine, that ran from 1896 until 1967, with a hiatus from 1944-1954.
Many famous graphic artists contributed stunning illustrations with themes that commented on social/political issues of the times. You might have heard of Heinrich Kley, George Grosz and Kaethe Kollwitz, but other contributors were artists like the incredible Karl Arnold, Olaf Gulbransson and Edward Thoeny.
I just love looking at this kind of art. Whenever I am designing characters, and I catch myself falling back on to old formulas, I look at pages from Simplicissimus. The types of people represented in the illustrations are so rich in character, the designs are super inventive…no formulas here!
And do you know who else referred to these artists and admired them ? Our friend Joe Grant from Disney. He collected the magazines when they were issued way back. I had many conversations with Joe about these graphic gems, we both found them very inspiring.
I am not including any text or commentary, just look at the quality of drawing, caricature and staging.
There are plenty of formulaic animated characters populating the screens today. I'd love to see inspired alternatives, wether they are based on a source like this one or any other graphic style, it's time to break the mold. An exciting prospect!
Bruno Paul 1906
Olaf Gulbransson 1909
Rudolf Wilke 1908
Olaf Gulbransson 1908
G. Hertting 1910
Karl Arnold 1911
Olaf Gulbransson 1905
Blix 1907
Olaf Gulbransson 1916
Olaf Gulbransson 1916
Karl Arnold 1924
E. Thoeny 1920
Karl Arnold 1921
Karl Arnold 1922
Olaf Gulbransson 1923
Karl Arnold 1927
Herbert Marxem 1929
Karl Arnold 1930
Karl Arnold 1930
they look so fresh and new !! few and accurate lines and much expression!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. All of the animation studios use the same style on their films these days. It's just boring, you feel like you watch the same film again and again.
ReplyDeleteI really hope someone will be brave enough to do something new. Oh, I miss the good old Disney's Hand drawn days, when every film had its very own style..
So cool! :D Now if magazine drawings could move...
ReplyDeletetotally loved this, looking back to keep moving forward
ReplyDeleteIn Munich, Bavaria, Türkenstrasse 57, you will find on old pub, Alter Simpl, "Old Idiot", which was the meeting point and hangout of these great artists.
ReplyDeleteYou will still find a lot of their original artwork, photographs and prints on those greasy walls.
Liebe Grüsse aus Hamburg, Harald
Next time I'm in Munich I will stop by there for a beer.
DeleteSomeone once tell me that Olaf Gulbransson was a important influence on the Al hirschfeld work.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Magical!!!
ReplyDeleteAll great, but Olaf Gulbransson amazing!! I'm not sure if I've seen his work before, but ...wow!!
ReplyDeleteJust amazing...
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my absolute favorites. I have a fairly complete run of Simplicissimus during its golden era. Le Rire and the French caricature journals are great too.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the tribute book to Wilke is fantastic. If you don't already have it, keep your eyes peeled for it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip!
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