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There is a body of 20th Century Art that will be long remembered and admired. That of the Commercial Illustrators.

I think you're on to something. I was in the bookstore the other day looking at a big book full of Norman Rockwell paintings, and I was fighting back tears. A lot of his work has a sentimental angle, but that's not what got me... it was the raw power of his technique and his ability to compose, and the fact that he used his talent to create art that is a pure pleasure to behold. You mentioned Maxfield Parish, and it's the same way with him. These guys are almost supernaturally talented, but they serve the fruits of their talent to you on a silver platter for your pleasure. Their paintings seem like a service to the viewer, somehow -- it's the viewer's pleasure that's important -- and I appreciate that. In a way, the nature of being a commercial illustrator harkens back to the days when artists were commisioned to paint or sculpt by wealthy patrons. I think that aspect of hiredness is less likely to lead to the sort of silly narcissism that we see in a lot of modern art. Instead, it leads to images that are unabashedly resonant and beautiful.

I also agree in admiring many illustrators.

NC Wyeth, for one, years ago I bought a print of his to hang in my daughter's room, even now I never fail to admire the thing.

And the Tolkien illustrators, Alan Lee and John Howe are fabulously talented, IMO.

These guys are almost supernaturally talented, but they serve the fruits of their talent to you on a silver platter for your pleasure. Their paintings seem like a service to the viewer, somehow -- it's the viewer's pleasure that's important -- and I appreciate that. In a way, the nature of being a commercial illustrator harkens back to the days when artists were commisioned to paint or sculpt by wealthy patrons. I think that aspect of hiredness is less likely to lead to the sort of silly narcissism that we see in a lot of modern art. Instead, it leads to images that are unabashedly resonant and beautiful.

You got it. Art that does not impact the viewer is not art -- it is masturbation

Lots of decent art is done for covers and such. One artist I like for his work on science fiction covers from my early days is Kelly Freas (below)