Richard Amsel


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IÕm pleased to have this small group of Richard AmselÕs originals for sale. Some of the images have never been seen before except by his close friends, as none of these were published, and come from the family of the artist.

And, it looks like availability of AmselÕs paintings on the market has just become sharply curtailed. From a recent press release (edited and excerpted):
PHILADELPHIA (February 13, 2009) Š To mark the acquisition of the more than 500-piece collection of illustrations and sketches of alumnus Richard Amsel, The University of the Arts will present "Richard Amsel: A RetrospectiveÓ at its Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery (333 S. Broad St., Philadelphia) from April 15 Š May 14.
The exhibition showcases more than 50 works from the worldÕs largest collection of Amsel sketches and illustrations. Amsel created some of the most recognizable, iconic show business-related imagery of the late 20th century before he died in 1985. His ŅAMSELÓ signature can be found on posters for more than 30 major motion pictures, close to 40 TV Guide cover illustrations and numerous album covers and concert posters.
A close friend of AmselÕs and the director of Late Night Programming at CBS Television in Los Angeles for 15 years, Dorian Hannaway donated the collection and designated it as a teaching resource for The University of the Arts.

What an extraordinary gesture! A toast to Dorian!
[Most of RichardÕs work was sold at Christies East in 1989 after he died, and Illustration House has sold several of his great poster paintings -- Chinatown, Indiana Jones -- over the years.]

Finally, IÕm a fan. Most visual artists tend to repeat themselves, in style or substance, and this is only fair as they need to put food on the table, and will be inclined to recycle that which was previously successful. I have high respect for an artist who has the courage to to perform without a safety net, and uses new graphic devices, radical compositions, crazy materials, and styles that draw upon all of the history of design.

As a student of illustration history, I enjoy seeing that in one picture, Richard is channelling Coles Phillips, and in another, itÕs Earl Moran. But itÕs unfair to think of him as an imitator; itÕs more as if, faced with a blank canvas and the challenge to reinvent his work yet again, he took one of his heroes as a point of departure, but it always led back to Amsel and his own radically fresh vision.

-- Roger T. Reed

Adam McDaniel has put together a thorough site dedicated to the artist: www.adammcdaniel.com/RichardAmsel2.htm on which one can read the above release in full.

The two works shown below will be offered in our May 30 auction of illustration art.


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