Henry J. Soulen

This biography from the archives of AskART.com.

An illustrator for the "Saturday Evening Post," Henry Soulen began that career in May, 1912, having been a student of Howard Pyle. He also worked for other publications including "Country Gentleman" and "Ladies Home Journal" and earned a Peabody Award for his magazine cover designs.

He was known for his use of intense, brilliant color and at a time when many illustrations were in black and white, his usually appeared in color.

He was a thorough researcher and eventually collected a large and varied collection of costumes, weapons, and other objects that he used in his drawings. At age 62, he became a college professor at the University of Maryland and taught the first illustration that art department offered.

During World War II, he gave free art lessons at the Valley Forge Military Hospital, a rehabilitation center for veterans.

Credit: Walt Reed, "The Illustrator in America"

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Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 12, 1888, Henry James Soulen was a noted illustrator. He attended the Art Students League in Milwaukee, the Art Institute of Chicago, and later studied under the celebrated teacher, Howard Pyle, the founder of the Brandywine School. He also studied with N.C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, and Jessie Wilcox Smith. Soulen's illustrations are distinguished by a rich, textural surface, and a bold use of color. His work appeared regularly in The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies' Home Journal, and The Country Gentleman. He was also the recipient of the Peabody Award for magazine cover design. The artist made his home between Phoenixville, PA and Oceanville, ME, until he died in 1965.

Credit:

Newman Galleries