J.C. Leyendecker
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The people who run the National Museum of American Illustration, Judy and Laurence Cutler, have come out with a new book -- this one entitled J.C. Leyendecker, about that illustrator of lifestyle dreams in the first half of the 20th Century. Leyendecker is but one of the many brilliant American artists featured at this gorgeous museum on Newport's Bellevue Avenue (speaking of lifestyle dreams). 
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Purchasers of this book must be informed that they are purchasing inaccuracies on many fronts.
The book's biographical portion is corrupt and congested with unconfirmed and unsubstantiated innuendo. J. C. Leyendecker's work can stand on its own but it is truly unfortunate that Judy and Laurence Cutler thought it appropriate to slip in a counterfeit painting or two {or more?}. They have acknowledged the improper inclusions and say they will make the corrections when they reprint the book. So, in the meantime a reader is assaulted with pictures of paintings that may or may not be authentic J. C. Leyendecker paintings. The writing almost eclipses the phony paintings. J. C. Leyendecker was one of America's brilliant illustrators. He deserves a better accounting. Rating: TWO STARS for not taking the time to check things out before the presses started rolling!
Tom Schacks - Philadelphia
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I was very annoyed by the gossipy nature of the book, which was quite forced in places. The author's basic premise that Leyendecker was homosexual, is without objective foundation. The entire text is a web of supposition, contradiction, and naivete. A fair reading of the book must lead the reader to the conclusion that its scholarship is deeply flawed, and is at variance with what we do know about J.C. Leyendecker. If any of the author's statements regarding J.C.'s sexuality are true, putting them in print is a vicious invasion of privacy against a very private man. In any event, the text is the product of speculation by a trendy, yet unsophisticated author. As one of our nation's greatest artists, J.C. Leyendecker deserves better treatment.
Report Abuse
I was very annoyed by the gossipy nature of the book, which was quite forced in places. The author's basic premise that Leyendecker was homosexual, is without objective foundation. The entire text is a web of supposition, contradiction, and naivete. A fair reading of the book must lead the reader to the conclusion that its scholarship is deeply flawed, and is at variance with what we do know about J.C. Leyendecker. If any of the author's statements regarding J.C.'s sexuality are true, putting them in print is a vicious invasion of privacy against a very private man. In any event, the text is the product of speculation by a trendy, yet unsophisticated author. As one of our nation's greatest artists, J.C. Leyendecker deserves better treatment.
Report Abuse