Modern Illustration is an archive of print from c.1950-1975, shining a spotlight on pioneering illustrators and their work.
The Archive
This archive started life in 2018 as an Instagram account called Ephemerama!, where I posted my finds from over a decade of collecting.
In building this searchable archive, my aim is to provide a source of inspiration and education for anyone with an interest in illustration. In turn, I hope to promote the art of illustration and celebrate the people behind it.
All the images used are from my own collection, many of which have not been seen by a wider audience since they were originally published.
Why Illustration?
Once seen as a grey area between the art establishment and design industry, illustration has become a respected profession with a better understanding of its purpose. It is important to reevaluate its history, celebrating its traditions while acknowledging its interdisciplinary nature.
As an illustrator myself, I have a strong interest in the roots of the practice. Contemporary illustration owes a great debt to the “commercial artists” of this era. They were the first wave of modern illustrators, pioneering the practice as we know it today.
My research has revealed stories about many illustrators that have yet to be told as part of the mainstream. Some of the illustrators featured in this collection were acclaimed during their careers but many have since been overlooked. This includes women and émigré artists who forged successful careers in the face of adversity.
The Importance of Ephemera
Illustration is ephemeral by nature. Illustrations are produced for publication on leaflets, magazine covers, stamps, advertisements, beer mats - transient documents that are discarded, leaving illustration history incomplete.
My hope is that by highlighting these artefacts, we can develop a more comprehensive history of illustration. This can help us to understand how visual language has developed to where we are now.
About the collector
Zara Picken is an illustrator based in Lincoln in the UK. She works with a diverse range of international clients, creating illustrations for editorial, publishing and advertising. You can find see her work here, or contact her at zara@zarapicken.com.
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Copyright
Modern Illustration is intended for personal, educational and non-commercial purposes only. Uses include research, teaching and evaluation. Acknowledgment to the original artist is provided where known. I have made reasonable efforts to ensure that information provided is accurate. However, additions or corrections from relevant parties are welcome. No claim of ownership to intellectual property is made over any of the content on this site, excluding my own work. If you are the copyright owner of any content displayed on this site, and object to its use, please get in touch. Modern Illustration is not liable for the use/misuse of the site’s content.
