Will Bradley was considered by many to be a giant in book, magazine, and graphic design during the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts period. In addition to being one of the leading American poster designers at the turn of the 20th century, he was a cartoonist, illustrator, decorator, and architect. His work was of such originality and significance that he was compared to the great English graphic artist, Aubrey Beardsley. Like Beardsley, he pushed the boundaries of typographic and illustrative work.

By the 1890's he had become an independent designer, working for Harper's and other magazines as well as creating theater posters. In 1915 he went to work for the newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst, initially acting as art supervisor for films. By 1920, he was the head of art for the Hearst magazines and newspapers.

His bold and elegant poster design, like Beardsley, relied on sharp contrasts of black and white for the strongest visual effect. In 1954, Bradley was awarded a gold medal by the American Institute of Graphic Arts.

Medium : 1 print (poster) : lithograph, color

Created/Published : Forbes Co. Boston, 1896

Creator : Will Bradley, 1868-1962, artist

Housed in the Prints & Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

Availability: Usually ships in one to two weeks

Product #: cph3g07173