Overview

"The first survey of Leo Lionni's protean career as a graphic designer, children's book creator, and fine artist. Leo Lionni (1910–1999), born in the Netherlands and educated in Italy, had a powerful impact on the visual culture of the postwar United States. He first achieved success in the field of graphic design, serving as the influential art director of Fortune magazine from 1948 to 1960 and personally executing such innovative designs as the catalogue for the Museum of Modern Art's seminal photo exhibition The Family of Man. Then, in the 1960s, he embarked on an equally groundbreaking career in picture books, using torn-paper collages to illustrate modern animal fables such as Frederick and Swimmy, which are still beloved today. But even as his books won multiple Caldecott Honors, Lionni-who had begun as a painter-also maintained a fine art practice centered on his Parallel Botany, a richly imagined world of fanciful plants. This volume, the catalogue of a major exhibition at the Norman Rockwell Museum, is the first to survey the entirety of Lionni's multifaceted career. Written by Steven Heller and Leonard S. Marcus, leading authorities on graphic design and children's literature respectively, it is illustrated with abundant examples of Lionni's work, including many little-seen items from the extensive archive maintained by his estate. Leo Lionni: Between Worlds will be an important, and eye-opening, contribution to the history of art and design. AUTHORS: Steven Heller was an art director at the New York Times for thirty-three years and is co-chair of the MFA Design department at the School of Visual Arts. A widely recognized authority on the history of graphic design, he has written or edited more than one hundred books about design and popular culture. Leonard S. Marcus is one of the world's preeminent authorities on the history of children's literature. He is the author or editor of more than twenty-five books on the subject; the curator of numerous important exhibitions, including the New York Public Library's landmark show The ABC of It: Why Children's Books Matter; and a founding trustee of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. SELLING POINTS: . The first book to survey the protean career of Leo Lionni (1910-1999): creator of beloved children's books like Frederick and Swimmy, influential graphic designer and art director of Fortune magazine, and fine artist . Lionni was a ""twentieth-century Leonardo,"" who believed that a smart, pithy visual language could unite people across cultural boundaries . Edited by Steven Heller, the renowned design writer, and Leonard Marcus, one of the world's leading authorities on children's literature Illustrations drawn from Lionni's key works, as well as unseen treasures from the Lionni family archives . Catalog of a major touring exhibition that will open at the Norman Rockwell Museum on November 18, 2023"

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9780789214706

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Reviews

Throughout Leo Leonni's varied and eclectic work one can see his wit as well as his mid-century design sensibility; formal and geometric, but softened by his warmth and playfulness. The breadth of his career is wonderfully shown in the images and informed writing in this book.--Marc Rosenthal, New York Times bestselling illustrator I've known who Leo Lionni was since I was in a freshman at the Tyler School of Art in the 60's. I remember seeing The Family of Man cover he designed for the 1955 photographic exhibit at MOMA which was displayed in the Tyler Library. It was the first time I clearly understood what a graphic designer was, and what they did for a living. As a young working professional, I was inspired by Lionni's Fortune magazine covers and his advertising design, and later genuinely surprised by his children's stories and illustrations. He had amazing breadth and depth, all on display in this volume.--Paula Scher, graphic designer and partner, Pentagram

Throughout Leo Leonni's varied and eclectic work one can see his wit as well as his mid-century design sensibility; formal and geometric, but softened by his warmth and playfulness. The breadth of his career is wonderfully shown in the images and informed writing in this book.--Marc Rosenthal, New York Times bestselling illustrator Twenty-four years after his death, the book lowers the velvet ropes separating the quadrants of Leo Lionni's creative output. Who knew that the creator of the most recognizable mice since Stuart Little also dreamed up the prototype for Sports Illustrated? . . . Lionni had a rare ability to change shades -- and retain his signature vibrancy -- while moving, seemingly effortlessly, from one realm to another.--New York Times I've known who Leo Lionni was since I was in a freshman at the Tyler School of Art in the 60's. I remember seeing The Family of Man cover he designed for the 1955 photographic exhibit at MOMA which was displayed in the Tyler Library. It was the first time I clearly understood what a graphic designer was, and what they did for a living. As a young working professional, I was inspired by Lionni's Fortune magazine covers and his advertising design, and later genuinely surprised by his children's stories and illustrations. He had amazing breadth and depth, all on display in this volume.--Paula Scher, graphic designer and partner, Pentagram

Author Information

Steven Heller was an art director at the New York Times for 33 years and is co-chair of the MFA Design department at the School of Visual Arts. A widely recognised authority on the history of graphic design, he has written or edited more than 100 books about design and popular culture. Stephanie Haboush Plunkett is Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Norman Rockwell Museum. Annie Lionni is Leo Lionni’s granddaughter and the administrator of his work. Leonard S. Marcus is one of the world's preeminent authorities on the history of children's literature. He is the author or editor of more than 25 books on the subject; the curator of numerous important exhibitions, including the New York Public Library's landmark show The ABC of It: Why Children's Books Matter; and a founding trustee of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

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