Railroads, Art, and American Life : An Artist's Memoir / J. Craig Thorpe.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Thorpe, J. Craig, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Railroads--United States--Pictorial works.

Railroads.

Railroads in art.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (208 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Bloomington, Indiana : Indiana University Press, [2023]

Summary:

Explore the past, present, and future of rail travel through 30 years of one artist's work. Once a common part of the American landscape, trains are increasingly fading from public view. Though photographs can accurately convey the details of "what, where, and when, " sometimes paintings can better convey the deeper truths of an era. Collecting more than thirty years of paintings and renderings, Railroads, Art, and American Life tells the story of rail transportation in America through the life and works of artist J. Craig Thorpe. Commissioned by companies such as Amtrak and General Electric, Thorpe's work can be found featured on items ranging from catalogs to calendars, postcards to posters. His artwork depicts not only the golden age of train travel but considers the present and looks forward to a potential future. Featuring more than 130 color illustrations and combining history, biography, ethics, and humor, Thorpe's personal story joins with his paintings to invite the reader to relive the heyday of American rail and better understand the role of railroads in our society today.

Contents:

Introduction

One. Unfolding a Career

Two. Shaped by the Message

Three. Painting the Past: Art with Vintage Themes as a Reminder of the Rail Systems That Shaped American Life

Four. Painting the Present: Art with Contemporary Themes to Promote Current Rail Systems and Services

Five. Painting the Possible: Art with Visionary Themes to Suggest New Rail Systems That Enhance Mobility, Community, and Resources

Six. From Commission to Celebration: How a Painting Unfolds

Epilogue: More Than Meets the Eye

Notes

Index

About the Author

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

Includes index.

Other Format:

Print version: Thorpe, J. Craig Railroads, Art, and American Life

ISBN:

9780253065384

0253065380

9780253065377

0253065372

OCLC:

1356522377