| Simon,
Howard (New York, 1902 - 1979)
A notable American printmaker, painter and illustrator, Howard
Simon studied art at the New York Academy. He then spent three
years working and studying in France. Upon his return to America
Simon spent several years in San Francisco before settling in
his native New York.
Howard Simon's published woodcuts were created as both individual
works of art (such as, Courtyard in Rouen) and as illustrations
for many fine books. In this latter category he illustrated such
great works of fiction as, La Rive Gauche, History of California
Pathfinders, Golden Years, Candide, West Wind, Mlle de Maupin,
Jews without Money, West Wind, Rabelais and The Plays of Anton
Chekhov. Simon was also the author of 500 Years of Art in Illustration,
first published in 1942.
Howard Simon was a full member of the California Society of Etchers.
His woodcut art is included in many major collections such as
the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and the Baltimore Museum
of Art.
The Print Connoisseur published illustrated articles on contemporary
etchers and engravers on a quarterly basis from January, 1920
to December, 1931. A minimum of one original print was commissioned
for each issue and the more expensive, limited editions of 100
each contained a signed impression in pencil by the artist. During
its decade of publishing such major artists as George Elbert Burr,
Frank Benson, Norman Kent, Lynd Ward, Winkler, Preissig, Alan
Lewis and J. J. Lankes contributed original etchings and woodcuts.
This New York based publication was thus responsible for commissioning
some of the finest original art of early twentieth century America.
In the April, 1930 number of The Print Connoisseur Howard Simon's
art was extensively featured. This issue contained an article
entitled, "The Modern Woodcut and Howard Simon", by
W. P. Truesdell, and four original woodcuts, one in color and
three in black and white, printed directly from the blocks on
laid paper. This issue also contained an original etching by Will
Simons and an original woodcut by T. F. Simon.
Courtyard in Rouen was created by Simon as an individual woodcut
and not for an illustrated book. Containing complex printings
of reds, greens, blacks and yellows it served as the frontis piece
to the above named article.
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