Howard Pyle -part 6

Howard Pyle (1853, Wilmington Del. - 1911, Florence) was one of America’s most popular illustrators and storytellers at the end of the 19th century during a period of explosive growth in the publishing industry. His illustrations appeared in magazines like Harper’s Monthly, St. Nicholas, and Scribner’s Magazine, gaining him both national and international exposure. The broad appeal of his imagery made him a celebrity in his lifetime.

Pyle studied at the Art Student’s League, New York City, and first attracted attention by his line drawings after the style of Albrecht Dürer. His magazine and book illustrations are among the finest of the turn-of-the-century period in the Art Nouveau style. Pyle wrote original children’s stories as well as retelling old fairy tales. Many of Pyle’s children’s stories, illustrated by the author with vividness and historical accuracy, have become classics—most notably The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (1883); Otto of the Silver Hand (1888); Jack Ballister’s Fortunes (1895); and his own folktales, Pepper & Salt (1886), The Wonder Clock (1888), and The Garden Behind the Moon (1895).

In 1894, he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry. Among his students there wer valet Oakley, Maxfield Parrish, and Jessie Wikcox Smith. After 1900, he founded his own school of art and illustration named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. Scholar Henry C. Pitz later used the term Brandywine School for the illustration artists and Wyeth family artists of the Brandywine region, several of whom had studied with Pyle. He had a lasting influence on a number of artists who became notable in their own right; N.C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Thornton Oakley, Allen Tupper True, Stanley Arthur, and numerous others studied under him.

Later Pyle undertook mural paintings, executing, among others, The Battle of Nashville (1906) for the capitol at St. Paul, Minn. Dissatisfied with his style in painting, he went to Italy for further study but died shortly afterward. Pyle had established a free schoolof art in his home in Wilmington, where many successful American illustrators received their education.

Pyle travelled to Florence, Italy in 1910 to study mural painting. He died there in 1911 of a sudden kidney infection (Bright’s Disease).

For earlier works by Howard Pyle see parts 1-5 also.

This is part 6 of a 13-part series on the works of Howard Pyle:

1888 Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle:

Front Cover

The Dragon's House
"There they sat, just as little children in the town might sit upon their father's door-step"

How the Baron Went Forth To Shear
"Away they rode with clashing hoofs and ringing armor."

How the Baron Came Home Shorn
 "No one was within but old Ursela, who sat crooning
over a fire."

The White Cross on the Hill
"Abbot Otto, of St. Michaelsburg, was a gentle, patient,
pale-faced old man."

The White Cross on the Hill
"While I lay there with my horse upon me, Baron Frederick ran me down with his lance."

How Otto Dwelt at St. Michaelsburg
 "The poor, simple Brother sitting under the shade of the pear-tree, close to the bee-hives, rocking the little baby in his arms."

How Otto Dwelt at St. Michaelsburg
"Always it was one picture that little Otto sought."

How Otto Lived in the Dragon's House
"Poor brother John came forward and took the boy's hand."

How Otto Lived in the Dragon's House
"Otto lay close to her feet upon a bear skin."

The Red Cock Crows on Drachenhausen
"The grim Baron sat silent with his chin resting upon his clenched fist."

The Red Cock Crows on Drachenhausen
"Slowly raising himself upon his narrow foothold he peeped cautiously within."

13 The Red Cock Crows on Drachenhausen 
"Schwartz Carl, holding his arbelast in his hand, stood silently waiting and watching."

The Red Cock Crows on Drachenhausen
"He strode into the room and laid his iron hand heavily upon the boy's shoulder."

In the House of the Dragon Scorner
"Dost thou know why thou art here?" said the Baron."

How One-eyed Hans Came to Trutz-Drachen
"Fritz, the swineherd, sat eating his late supper of porridge."

How One-eyed Hans Came to Trutz-Drachen
"Hans held up a necklace of blue and white beads."

How Hans Brought Terror to the Kitchen
"Thou ugly toad," said the woman.

How Hans Brought Terror to the Kitchen
"The man was Long Jacob, the bowman."

How Hans Brought Terror to the Kitchen
"In an instant he was flung back and down."

How Otto Was Saved
"The next moment they were hanging in mid-air."

A Ride for Life
"He was gazing straight before him with a set and
 stony face."

How Baron Conrad Held the Bridge
"In the middle of the narrow way sat the motionless,
 steel-clad figure."

How Baron Conrad Held the Bridge
"For a moment they stood swaying backward and forward."

How Otto Saw the Great Emperor
"It was the Great Emporer Rudolph."

How Otto Saw the Great Emperor
"He took her hand and set it to his lips."

1891 Men of Iron by Howard Pyle

published by Harper & Row:

Front Cover

The Flight from Falworth Castle.

Myles, as in a Dream, Kneeled and Presented the Letter.

"When thou strikest that lower cut at the legs, recover thyself more quickly."

At Last they had the Poor Boy Down.

Myles pushed the Door Farther Open.

In the "Eyry."

The Bore him Away to a Bench at the Far End of the Room.

"But tell me, Robin Ingoldsby, dost know aught more of this matter?"

"Belike Thou to Take This Lad's Life," said Sir James.

Stories and jests recited by some strolling
Mummer or Minstrel.

Myles Entertains the Lady Anne and the Lady Alice with
his Adventures.

Myles Found Himself Standing Beside the Bed.

These he Watched and Guarded While the Others Slept.

Lady, I Have a Favor to Ask Thee.

The Challenge.

Myles Kneeled upon the Stone Steps While the Good Priest Blessed Him.

*          *          *          *          *

1891 On sped the light chestnut, with the little officer bending almost to the saddle-bow
Harper's Weekly, September 12 1891

1891 The First Christmas Tree
 from “The Oak of Geismar” by Henry Van Dyke
Scribner's Magazine, December 1891

1891 The First Thanksgiving
Harper's Bazar, December 5 1891

1891 The Lily Lake
from "Among the Sandhills"
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, September 1892

1892 A Thread Without a Knot
Harper's Weekly, September 3 1892

1892 The Lily Lake
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, September 1892

1892 “I’ll knock the — — head off of you!”
Harper's Weekly, April 9 1892

1893 "In 1776 The Conflagration"
from "The Evolution of New York
Harper's New Monthly, Magazine June 1893

1893 Stamford’s Soprano
Harper's Weekly, June 24 1893

1893 The Professor in his Boat
black and white oil painting

1894 "The Sphynx"
William Dean Howells’ “Stops of Various Quills”
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, December 1894

1894 He lay there sighing and groaning
Twilight Land, published by Harper's Young People

1894 The Old Violin