The Rocket Book Pl 07 (1912)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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Peter Newell's 1912 illustration "The Rocket Book Pl 07" captures a whimsically chaotic moment with his distinctive blend of humor and fantasy. This piece shows an older gentleman, dressed in a traditional checkered suit, recoiling in astonishment and horror as a rocket bursts forth from a book, shattering his peaceful study time into a scene of disarray.The details of the room are meticulously rendered; a candlestick, papers, books, and chemical apparatus underscore the scholarly nature of the room, which contrasts sharply with the explosive action at the center. The man's expression, open-mouthed and eyes wide with disbelief, alongside his dynamic pose, adds a vivid sense of movement and shock. Newell's use of muted colors accentuates the sudden burst of the rocket, which is the only source of action and seemingly the only element not adhering to the grayscale palette.This illustration not only showcases Newell's skill in blending the ordinary with the absurd, but it also evokes a sense of narrative that leaves viewers curious and entertained, pondering the backstory and the aftermath of this explosive moment.
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Peter Sheaf Hersey Newell was an American artist and writer. He created picture books and illustrated new editions of many children's books. A native of McDonough County, Illinois, Newell built a reputation in the 1880s and 1890s for his humorous drawings and poems, which appeared in Harper's Weekly, Harper's Bazaar, Scribner's Magazine, The Saturday Evening Post, Judge, and other publications.