All’s well (1917-1918)

Louis Rhead prints bring the flowing lines and rich colour of the 1890s American poster craze into your home. Rhead was an English-born American artist, one of the leading poster designers of his day, who later illustrated classic children's books and wrote about fly fishing. Our collection of fine art prints covers his posters and magazine covers, his Shakespeare illustrations and other book art.

About Louis Rhead

Louis John Rhead was born on 6 November 1857 in Etruria, Staffordshire, into a family of potters. His father, a ceramic artist and teacher, founded the Fenton School of Art, and Louis and his brothers learned art in his classes and worked in the potteries as children. At thirteen he was sent to Paris to study with Gustave Boulanger. He then worked as a ceramic artist at Minton and Wedgwood, and in 1879 won a scholarship to the National Art Training School in South Kensington.

In 1883 he moved to New York as art director for the publisher D. Appleton, married Catherine Yates and became an American citizen; they lived in Flatbush, Brooklyn, for forty years. In the early 1890s, influenced by Eugène Grasset, he became a leading poster artist, with designs for Harper's Bazaar, Century, Scribner's and others. The Salon des Cent in Paris held an exhibition of his work, and in 1895 he won a gold medal for the best American poster at the first international poster show in Boston.

When the poster craze faded he turned to book illustration, illustrating Robin Hood, Robinson Crusoe, Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Heidi and more. A keen angler, he also wrote American Trout-Stream Insects (1916), a pioneering study. He died at his home in Amityville, Long Island, on 29 July 1926.

Style and Subjects

Rhead's posters are in the Art Nouveau style of Grasset: graceful women with flowing hair, strong outlines, flat areas of rich colour and decorative borders. His colours are often deep and unusual, with reds, golds and greens set against dark grounds.

His book illustrations are lively and detailed, full of adventure and character, and his Shakespeare plates tell each story in a single dramatic moment.

Famous Works

• The Sun (1891). A poster design in bold Art Nouveau style.
• Harper's Bazar Thanksgiving (1894). One of his celebrated magazine covers.
• Cygnes (Swans) (1897). A decorative design of swans, one of his best-known images.
• Packer's Tar Soap. An advertising poster from the height of the poster craze.
• American Trout-Stream Insects (1916). His pioneering book on the insects of trout streams.
• Tales from Shakespeare (1917–18). His illustrations for Charles and Mary Lamb's retelling of the plays.

Decorating with Rhead Prints

Rhead's posters, like Cygnes or The Sun, make a bold statement in a living room, hallway or home office and suit Art Nouveau, vintage and eclectic interiors. A pair of his Harper's Bazar covers works well in a kitchen or dining room.

His Shakespeare illustrations, such as Juliet and Her Nurse, make a lovely series for a library, reading nook or child's room.

FAQ

Who was Louis Rhead?

Louis Rhead (1857–1926) was an English-born American artist, illustrator, author and angler, best known for his Art Nouveau posters of the 1890s.

What influenced Louis Rhead's posters?

He was strongly influenced by the Swiss designer Eugène Grasset. Three of his posters were published in Les Maîtres de l'Affiche, the famous French poster series.

What books did Louis Rhead illustrate?

He illustrated many children's classics, including Robin Hood, The Swiss Family Robinson, Robinson Crusoe, The Deerslayer, Treasure Island, Kidnapped and Heidi, as well as Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare.

Was Louis Rhead a fisherman?

Yes. He was an avid fly fisher and wrote American Trout-Stream Insects (1916), one of the first comprehensive studies of stream insects in America.

Related Artists

• Eugène Grasset: Swiss designer whose style strongly influenced his posters
• Edward Penfield: fellow leading American poster artist of the 1890s
• Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau poster master of the same era
• Jules Chéret: French pioneer of the colour poster
• Howard Pyle: American illustrator of Robin Hood and adventure books