Exhibition Overview
Artist’s Style and Influence
Maurice Sendak’s art style was varied, energetic, and wildly creative. Even as he stuck to simple themes, his artwork reflects a range of influences from artists such as Philipp Otto Runge and Carl Wilhelm Kolbe. His work in “Dear Milli” (1988) revived a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, showcasing the influence of Wilhelm’s writing on Sendak.
Featured Works
The exhibition features drawings, paintings, and mockups from Sendak’s lesser-known career as a stage designer and producer for theater productions like “The Magic Flute” and “The Nutcracker”. Significant loans were made by The Morgan Library, where Sendak would study the work of William Blake (1757-1827).
Notable Pieces
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The final art for “Where The Wild Things Are” (1963) is on display, showcasing Max returning home from his adventures to eat his dinner. The room appears normal compared to everything he’s seen with the wild things.
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Realistic ink drawings for “Higglety Pigglety Pop! Or There Must Be More to Life” (1967) are also featured, where a pampered but discontent terrier packs a suitcase and hits the road.
Artist’s Versatility
Sendak’s line often owes something to Winsor McCay’s “Little Nemo in Slumberland”, which is honored in subject and design throughout “In the Night Kitchen” (1970). His versatility is showcased through his various works, including stage designs for theater productions.
One Fine Show
This exhibition shows that even as Sendak stuck to simple themes, his art style was varied, energetic and wildly creative.
“Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak” offers enough of his in-process work that you can feel the influence of the artists he loved.
