Description
Champions of Flight celebrates the work of Clayton Joseph Knight (1891-1969) and William John Heaslip (1898-1970), the two preeminent American aviation artists of their time, who chronicled the golden age of aviation (1927-1945) - from Charles Lindbergh's epochal transatlantic flight through the most devastating war in world history. Knight and Heaslip were experienced military men and formally trained artists who, combining an authenticity of experience and an artistic mastery of illustration, produced powerful artwork that influenced a generation of Americans, creating air-minded adults and youngsters, many of whom flocked to US military service after Pearl Harbor.
Aviation became deeply embedded into America's culture during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Americans became fascinated by aviation celebrities, watched air spectacles, aviation movies and newsreels, and devoured books, aviation industry ads, magazine articles, and Sunday comics featuring pilot heroes. Artists Knight and Heaslip - both of whom were adept as draftsmen, painters and printmakers - fuelled the imagination of these Americans through prolific illustrations and artwork that appeared in many diverse publications of the time. Over a period of almost twenty years, Clayton Knight and William Heaslip championed their love of flight through their art, and they did so with enthusiasm, integrity, and generosity. This book, featuring over 400 illustrations and photos, is a tribute to their legacy.
About the Author
Sheryl Fiegel is an art historian with a BA degree in Art History and an MA degree in Fine Arts (Art History) from Tufts University. She has had a varied career, including gallerist, fine art appraiser (ASA), independent curator and corporate art advisor. She served as head of the Air Force Art Collection during which time she organised a five-day multi-service tribute to honour combat artists of WWII. It was through her research on this project that Fiegel first came into contact with the work of Clayton Knight and William Heaslip. Theodore Hamady studied Modern European History at the University of Michigan. He is an historian and author of the highly acclaimed The Nieuport 28, America's First Fighter, and has published numerous articles and contributed to books on aviation history and aviation art. He is an avid collector of aviation art and associated memorabilia. He recently contributed artifacts and assisted in the production of the WWI A.E.F. Art Gallery exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum (NASM). Recognised as an "Outstanding Volunteer" by NASM, he is presently completing 29 years of service there as a research historian.
Reviews
At the end of the day, this book will wrap you in a warm glow as you leaf through the stupendous range of art. It truly is inspirational stuff. * War History Online *
The authors . . . have succeeded in putting together a highly illustrated volume which covers the artists' lives while at the same time relating the aviation history of the era. Reproduction of the illustrations . . . is every bit as good as you'd hope. The text reads well and is genuinely informative and interesting. * Aeroplane Magazine *
'...beautifully-produced coffee table book..' * RAF News *
Book Information
ISBN 9781612007793
Author Sheryl Fiegel
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Casemate Publishers
Publisher Casemate Publishers
Aviation became deeply embedded into America's culture during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Americans became fascinated by aviation celebrities, watched air spectacles, aviation movies and newsreels, and devoured books, aviation industry ads, magazine articles, and Sunday comics featuring pilot heroes. Artists Knight and Heaslip - both of whom were adept as draftsmen, painters and printmakers - fuelled the imagination of these Americans through prolific illustrations and artwork that appeared in many diverse publications of the time. Over a period of almost twenty years, Clayton Knight and William Heaslip championed their love of flight through their art, and they did so with enthusiasm, integrity, and generosity. This book, featuring over 400 illustrations and photos, is a tribute to their legacy.
About the Author
Sheryl Fiegel is an art historian with a BA degree in Art History and an MA degree in Fine Arts (Art History) from Tufts University. She has had a varied career, including gallerist, fine art appraiser (ASA), independent curator and corporate art advisor. She served as head of the Air Force Art Collection during which time she organised a five-day multi-service tribute to honour combat artists of WWII. It was through her research on this project that Fiegel first came into contact with the work of Clayton Knight and William Heaslip. Theodore Hamady studied Modern European History at the University of Michigan. He is an historian and author of the highly acclaimed The Nieuport 28, America's First Fighter, and has published numerous articles and contributed to books on aviation history and aviation art. He is an avid collector of aviation art and associated memorabilia. He recently contributed artifacts and assisted in the production of the WWI A.E.F. Art Gallery exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum (NASM). Recognised as an "Outstanding Volunteer" by NASM, he is presently completing 29 years of service there as a research historian.
Reviews
At the end of the day, this book will wrap you in a warm glow as you leaf through the stupendous range of art. It truly is inspirational stuff. * War History Online *
The authors . . . have succeeded in putting together a highly illustrated volume which covers the artists' lives while at the same time relating the aviation history of the era. Reproduction of the illustrations . . . is every bit as good as you'd hope. The text reads well and is genuinely informative and interesting. * Aeroplane Magazine *
'...beautifully-produced coffee table book..' * RAF News *
Book Information
ISBN 9781612007793
Author Sheryl Fiegel
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Casemate Publishers
Publisher Casemate Publishers
