SUZANNE TATE COLUMN: Famous illustrator’s work on display in Abingdon

I chuckled as I read some of the promotional literature about Joseph Christian Leyendecker, an accomplished American illustrator whose works are on display, beginning today, at the William King Museum in Abingdon.

Leyendecker is sometimes billed as “America’s Other Illustrator,” behind the iconic and wildly famous Norman Rockwell.

But their styles are so similar, and combined with the fact that Leyendecker’s work was a staple on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post, I realized that I may have seen his work many times before, but wrongly thought it was Rockwell’s.

Come see for yourself and compare your own visual memories – the William King Museum has a full exhibit of Leyendecker’s work through Nov. 22. Today’s opening is 2-4 p.m. and includes tours of the museum, food and music.

Full disclosure: My husband recently started volunteering at the museum, so I have inside knowledge of happenings there. But don’t take that as unreasonable bias.

The museum, which changed its name from the William King Regional Art Center (make a note of that) earlier this year, provides a wealth of arts information and instruction to the region. The Leyendecker exhibit is one of many exciting displays offered at the museum.

Leyendecker [1874-1951] was born in Germany and came to the United States with his parents, who settled in Chicago. He was an apprentice at the Chicago engraving house called J. Manz, and later was hired as a full-time staff artist. He also took classes at the Chicago Art Institute under John H. Vandepoel, who is famous for his anatomy drawings. Leyendecker went on to do more than 300 covers for The Saturday Evening Post between 1899 and 1943.

In an age where printed media is struggling and hardly any staff artists still survive, it is exciting to think of a time where talented artists were commissioned to draw original works for popular American magazines. I’m looking forward to learning more about Leyendecker, and seeing his works firsthand at the local exhibit.

The display is an eye-opener for me because I obviously had a linear view of American illustrators (The Saturday Evening Post equals Rockwell). I am going to get an education this afternoon and grateful I can do it at a local museum.

The museum is at 415 Academy Drive, Abingdon, Va., and is closed on Mondays. For more information, call (276) 628-5005 or visit the museum’s Web site, http://www.williamkingmuseum.org.

Suzanne Tate is the opinion page editor at the Bristol Herald Courier and can be reached at (276) 645-2534 or .