"The Provensens' illustrations create an opening in time, like a tear in soft fabric, that's neither past nor present nor future. They have the markings of the eternal. Leave behind what's frantically real and climb inside. It's wonderful here. With their pencils and paint brushes, the Provensens have stretched the clock to give us another chance to notice how much beauty there is in this ruined world."
—The New York Times
The Art of Alice and Martin Provensen is the first-ever monograph on this beloved midcentury husband-and-wife illustration team. This award-winning pair created more than 40 beloved children's books over the span of seven decades, many of which appeared on the New York Times Best Illustrated Books of the Year lists. From early favorites for Golden Books such as The Color Kittens by Margaret Wise Brown, 1949, to their Caldecott-winning title The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot, 1983, the Provensens' books inspired generations of young readers. Original paintings for their beloved classics such as A Child’s Garden of Verses, 1951, The Iliad and the Odyssey, 1959, Myths and Legends, 1960 and many others, are beautifully reproduced and included here.
This comprehensive volume showcases hundreds of their well-known illustrations, as well as many never-before-seen paintings, drawings, and exquisite sketchbooks from their travels around the world. An interview with their daughter Karen Provensen Mitchell illuminates their life and career and includes many personal photographs, quotes, speeches, and memorabilia from their archive. An introduction by Leonard S. Marcus, a leading historian in children’s literature, underscores the Provensen’s importance and influence as illustrators and authors. Additionally, noted publisher and close family friend Robert Gottlieb, provides a personal essay that shares many of his memories with this cherished couple.
The Provensens' colorful, inimitable artwork is a treasure trove that has influenced generations of children, designers, illustrators, historians, and all who cherish classic children's books.
"The Provensens' illustrations create an opening in time, like a tear in soft fabric, that's neither past nor present nor future. They have the markings of the eternal. Leave behind what's frantically real and climb inside. It's wonderful here. With their pencils and paint brushes, the Provensens have stretched the clock to give us another chance to notice how much beauty there is in this ruined world."
—The New York Times
"Through their sketchbooks and their illustrations, we get to see the world as the Provensens saw it, and what an enchanting place it was."
—Wall Street Journal