Rockwell Kent, a polymath renowned primarily as an artist and illustrator, led a multifaceted life spanning diverse careers from architect to political activist. Despite financial constraints, Kent pursued architecture at Columbia University after excelling in mechanical drawing at Horace Mann School. However, he soon shifted his focus to painting, receiving mentorship from renowned artists like William Merritt Chase and Robert Henri.
Venturing into wood engraving around 1920, Kent produced iconic illustrations for Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” and delved into print media, including satirical drawings published in popular magazines. As World War II loomed, Kent shifted his attention to progressive political causes, drawing State Department scrutiny but finding acclaim in the Soviet Union, where he donated a significant body of work and received the Lenin Peace Prize.
Kent’s legacy endures as a testament to his artistic prowess and impassioned advocacy, marking him as a significant figure in both art and politics. This book is a compilation of 160 greeting cards designed by Rockwell Kent during the artist’s lifetime.