Albert Dorne

Book excerpt: In a very real sense, Albert Dorne's life was a literal manifestation of the Horatio Alger tale and a model of the American Dream come true. Born into abject poverty at the dawn of the 20th Century, Albert Dorne rose to prominence and privilege through the application of sheer determination, an instinctive grasp of solid business practices and a keen understanding of human nature combined with a native talent for drawing. Despite dropping out of school as a teen, he was and known as one of the more erudite men in his field and widely recognized as the founder of the Famous Artists School. A self-taught artist, by the time of his death in 1965, Dorne had established himself as perhaps the preeminent, highest paid illustrator of his day-one whose services were sought after by the biggest companies and best magazines for his memorable advertizing art and dynamic illustrations. A self-made man, he enjoyed the finest things that his millions could buy, and yet he never forgot his roots and remained a champion of the handicapped and the working man to the end. Now, for the first time, the entire career of this complex titan of education, industry and illustration is presented in the pages of one book. Featuring an informative essay by David Apatoff, an insightful introduction by author-illustrator Howard Munce, who knew the artist, and a graphic foreword by celebrated Mad magazine artist, Jack Davis, this volume captures the scope and breadth of Albert Dorne's many accomplishments. Key points: This is the first and only career-spanning survey of Albert Dorne's career and his prodigious artistic output. Featuring hundreds of full color images of the artist's work, many reproduced from the original art, almost every page teems with the colorful, lively illustrations of this master craftsman. Showcases examples from every stage of Dorne's professional life, including advertising art, editorial illustrations, and posters created to support the armed services during World War II. Albert Dorne consorted with the best and brightest, with presidents and starlets, and yet he never lost touch with the common man and woman, whose concerns infuse his artwork. One of the most important and influential artists of his era, almost forgotten today, is brought to vibrant life on the page.