The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0679434488 ISBN 13: 9780679434481

Publisher: Random House, 1995

Synopsis

These fabulous, whimsical paintings, created for his own pleasure and never shown to the public, show Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) in a whole new light. Depicting outlandish creatures in otherworldly settings, the paintings use a dazzling rainbow of hues not seen in the primary-color palette of his books for children, and exhibit a sophisticated and often quite unrestrained side of the artist. 65 color illustrations.

About this title

Review

Beyond Dr. Seuss's work for children is an entirely different world--perhaps similar in whimsy and humor, but even more wondrous. The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss is a short (less than 100 pages) and beautiful full-color coffee-table book filled with cartoons, sketches, and oil paintings. The collection of birds, cats, lions, and pointy-headed people is fairly familiar territory for any true Seuss fan, but with a deeper amount of detail and more sophisticated tones. A favorite design in ink is titled "Impractical Marshmallow Toasting Device"--it's easy to see Seuss didn't find art to be a serious business. And could the oil painting "Cat from the Wrong Side of the Tracks" be a rendition of Cat in the Hat's evil twin? A wonderful, intriguing book for Seuss fans of all ages. --Jill Lightner

From the Back Cover

If you've ever read Oh, the Places You'll Go!, The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who, or any of the dozens of books written and illustrated by Theodor Geisel, you may think you're familiar with the work of the man who delighted millions as "Dr. Seuss". But the wildly imaginative creations collected in these pages show a previously unseen dimension of Geisel's art. These fabulous and whimsical paintings, created for his own pleasure and never before shown to the public, will enchant and amaze you. These fantastical images have the inimitable style of Geisel's alter ego Dr. Seuss, frequently depicting outlandish creatures in otherworldly settings. The puckish Seuss humor is in evidence, as well as the insight that often gave his stories deeper meaning. But these paintings break new ground, using a dazzling rainbow of hues not seen in the primary-color palette of Geisel's books for children. The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss exhibits a sophisticated, technically accomplished, and often quite unrestrained side of Geisel's talent. As his widow, Audrey Geisel, writes in her eloquent note to the collection: "I remember telling Ted that there would come a day when many of his paintings would be seen and he would thus share with his fans another facet of himself - his private self. That day has come".

About this edition

• Publisher: Random House
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0679434488
• ISBN 13: 9780679434481
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 95
• Illustrator: Theodor Geisel