Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle
Encyclopedia
Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle (1876–1936) was an American illustrator best known for the 40 covers she created for The Saturday Evening Post
in the 1920s and 1930s under the guidance of Post editor-in-chief
, George Horace Lorimer
.
Born in the Germantown section of Philadelphia on November 11, 1876 to Newcomb Butler and Kate Ashton Thompson, Ellen began her artistic studies at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry
in 1895. In 1897, she began to study under the famous illustrator Howard Pyle
, and in 1898 and 1899, she was one of his top students. She was given commissions for illustrations for periodicals and books, and she was invited to attend Howard Pyle's Brandywine School
both years. Around this time, she met Howard's youngest brother, Walter. In 1900 or 1901, Ellen's study with Howard Pyle ended, but she continued to work from her parents' home, and she had a number of book and magazine illustrations published. In 1904, she and Walter married, and she moved to Wilmington, Delaware
.
Walter and Ellen had four children between 1906 and 1914; Ellen suspended her art career to raise her family. However, in 1919, Walter died, and Ellen (aged 42), returned to illustration art to support herself and her family. She created magazine covers and book dust jacket art throughout the 1920s and 1930s, gaining in popularity each year. Rosy-cheeked children and outdoorsy women were common themes. She used local Wilmington youngsters as well as her own children for models; her three daughters are featured on half the covers she created for The Saturday Evening Post. She died on August 1, 1936, just a few months short of her 60th birthday, of heart disease.
Ellen Pyle's youngest daughter, Caroline, married Nathaniel C. Wyeth
, elder son of N. C. Wyeth
. Musician Howard Wyeth
was one of her many grandchildren.
Her first career retrospective, organized by one of her great-grandchildren, is currently on display at the Delaware Art Museum (August 1, 2009 to January 3, 2010).
The Saturday Evening Post
The Saturday Evening Post is a bimonthly American magazine. It was published weekly under this title from 1897 until 1969, and quarterly and then bimonthly from 1971.-History:...
in the 1920s and 1930s under the guidance of Post editor-in-chief
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
, George Horace Lorimer
George Horace Lorimer
George Horace Lorimer was an American journalist and author. He is best known as the editor of The Saturday Evening Post....
.
Born in the Germantown section of Philadelphia on November 11, 1876 to Newcomb Butler and Kate Ashton Thompson, Ellen began her artistic studies at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
in 1895. In 1897, she began to study under the famous illustrator Howard Pyle
Howard Pyle
Howard Pyle was an American illustrator and author, primarily of books for young people. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, he spent the last year of his life in Florence, Italy.__FORCETOC__...
, and in 1898 and 1899, she was one of his top students. She was given commissions for illustrations for periodicals and books, and she was invited to attend Howard Pyle's Brandywine School
Brandywine School
The Brandywine School was a style of illustration and an artists colony in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, near Brandywine Creek, founded by artist Howard Pyle at the end of the 19th century...
both years. Around this time, she met Howard's youngest brother, Walter. In 1900 or 1901, Ellen's study with Howard Pyle ended, but she continued to work from her parents' home, and she had a number of book and magazine illustrations published. In 1904, she and Walter married, and she moved to Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
.
Walter and Ellen had four children between 1906 and 1914; Ellen suspended her art career to raise her family. However, in 1919, Walter died, and Ellen (aged 42), returned to illustration art to support herself and her family. She created magazine covers and book dust jacket art throughout the 1920s and 1930s, gaining in popularity each year. Rosy-cheeked children and outdoorsy women were common themes. She used local Wilmington youngsters as well as her own children for models; her three daughters are featured on half the covers she created for The Saturday Evening Post. She died on August 1, 1936, just a few months short of her 60th birthday, of heart disease.
Ellen Pyle's youngest daughter, Caroline, married Nathaniel C. Wyeth
Nathaniel Wyeth (inventor)
Nathaniel C. Wyeth was an American mechanical engineer and inventor. He is best known for creating a polyethylene terephthalate beverage container that could withstand the pressure of carbonated liquids...
, elder son of N. C. Wyeth
N. C. Wyeth
Newell Convers Wyeth , known as N.C. Wyeth, was an American artist and illustrator. He was the pupil of artist Howard Pyle and became one of America's greatest illustrators...
. Musician Howard Wyeth
Howard Wyeth
Howard Pyle Wyeth , also known as Howie Wyeth, was an American drummer and pianist. Wyeth is remembered for work with the saxophonist James Moody, the rockabilly singer Robert Gordon, the electric guitarist Link Wray, the rhythm and blues singer Don Covay, and the folk singer Christine Lavin...
was one of her many grandchildren.
Her first career retrospective, organized by one of her great-grandchildren, is currently on display at the Delaware Art Museum (August 1, 2009 to January 3, 2010).