Howard Pyle vs. Edwin Austin Abbey Style and Art - 851 Words

Background Howard Pyle (1853-1911) was an American illustrator and author who primarily specialized in books for younger readers. He taught illustration, founded his own school, and produced a number of famous students. One of his classic publications was The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, but he remains well known for his four-volume set on King Arthur and on his illustrations of pirates, which have become iconic in popular culture (May and May). In fact, one contemporary art critic notes: He created something out of mixing something from history and made something very seductive. So seductive that no pirate ever wore anything differently. When one person can change the worlds view of something thats remarkable. All the world only recognizes pirates because of Howard Pyle (Crimmins). Pyles Art and Style- Pyle was realistic in his works, in the sense of creating images that told stories and were less interpretive and more illustrative. For example, there were few pirate drawing that were authentic, so Pyle invented the look a more romantic view that tends to be emulated in movies for costumes of Johnny Depp and Errol Flynn. Stylistically, Pyle used a number of stereotypical Gypsy elements (cape, earrings, long pants, flowing shirts), that may look iconic and romantic, but would be quite impractical for working sailors (Crimmins). Pyle, however, cannot be seen as just an illustrator. His numerous books were the type of rather predictable, romantic versions of some