The work of Louis John Rhead

Louis John Rhead was an English-born American artist, illustrator, author, and angler.

He was born in 1857 in Etruria, Staffordshire, England. Rhead’s father, George Rhead, was a gilder and ceramic artist. In the 1870s he taught art and design in Staffordshire schools and founded Fenton School of Art. Because of the creative influence of his family, Rhead excelled with his talent. In 1872, at the age of 13, his father sent him to study in Paris, France with artist Gustave Boulanger. In 1879 he gained a scholarship at the National Art Training School, South Kensington, London.

At 24 Rhead was offered a job as Art Director for the D. Appleton and Company publishing firm in New York City. Because of this offer he emigrated to the United State in 1883. 

In the 1890s Rhead became known for his poster work, which was heavily influenced by artist Eugène Grasset. His work was in the style of art nouveau. His work was often shown in Harper’s Bazaar, Harper’s Magazine, St. Nicolas, Century Magazine, Ladies Home Journal, and Scribner’s Magazine.

When the poster craze dyed down in the late 1890s, Rhead switched to book illustration. He illustrated many children’s books such as Robin Hood, The Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island. 

In 1895 at the first International Poster Show in Boston, Rhead won a Gold Medal for Best American Poster Design.