Howard Pyle
Personal Information
Description
Howard Pyle was an American illustrator and author, primarily of books for young people. During 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. The term Brandywine School was later applied to the illustration artists and Wyeth family artists of the Brandywine region by Pitz. Some of his more famous students were N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Elenore Abbott, Ethel Franklin Betts, Anna Whelan Betts, Harvey Dunn, Clyde O. DeLand, Philip R. Goodwin, Violet Oakley, Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle, Olive Rush, Allen Tupper True, and Jessie Willcox Smith. His 1883 classic publication The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood remains in print, and his other books, frequently with medieval European settings, include a four-volume set on King Arthur. He is also well known for his illustrations of pirates, and is credited with creating the now stereotypical modern image of pirate dress. He published an original novel, Otto of the Silver Hand, in 1888. He also illustrated historical and adventure stories for periodicals such as Harper's Weekly and St. Nicholas Magazine. His novel Men of Iron was made into a movie in 1954, The Black Shield of Falworth. Pyle travelled to Florence, Italy to study mural painting during 1910, and died there in 1911 from a kidney infection (Bright's Disease).
Books
The ruby of Kishmoor
A very famous pirate of his day was Captain Robertson Keitt.
Otto of the Silver Hand
In the superstitious and wicked world of twelfth century Germany lives a little boy whose compassion illuminates the path to goodness like a candle lighting the way through the dark coves of an ancient castle. “Poor little Otto’s life [is] a stony and thorny pathway” in which he faces ruthless and powerful villains. Alongside his faithful comrades, who rescue him from a dungeon, Otto learns to overcome strife with “gentleness and love.”Otto’s perilous adventures come to life not only through Howard Pyle’s meticulous descriptions, but also through his renowned medieval illustrations. The folkloric tale of Otto’s maturation from a child with a robber baron father to an adult with his own family will enchant the imagination.
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
The Swan Maiden
The king's youngest son releases the Swan Maiden from servitude under the witch with three eyes.
The Story of Siegfried
When the world was in its childhood, men looked upon the works of Nature with a strange kind of awe. They fancied that every thing upon the earth, in the air, or in the water, had a life like their own, and that every sight which they saw, and every sound which they heard, was caused by some intelligent being. All men were poets, so far as their ideas and their modes of expression were concerned, although it is not likely that any of them wrote poetry.
King Stork
Filled with all the things a good tale should have - from fiery dragons and savage lions to a clever princess and a handsome hero - this storyteller's favorite is paired with spectacular art from Caldecott medalist Trina Schart Hyman. The original edition won the 1973 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Illustration.
Robin Hood
While England's Richard I fights in the crusades and his brother John consumes the riches at home, Matty, an accomplished falconer, seeks adventures with a group of friends, among them the future Robin Hood.
Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates
Stories and descriptions of famous pirates and buccaneers.
The story of the Grail and the passing of Arthur
Follows the adventures of Sir Gerwaint, Galahad's quest for the holy Grail, the battle between Launcelot and Gawaine, and the slaying of Mordred. Time honored retelling of the Arthurian legends, including the adventures of Sir Galahad and the pursuit of the Holy Grail, as well as the last days of King Arthur--his attack on Sir Launcelot, fatal battle with Sir Mordred and final journey to Avalon.
The story of Sir Launcelot and his companions
Follows Sir Launcelot of the Round Table as he rescues Queen Guinevere, fights in the tournament at Astolat and pursues other adventures.
The Story of the Champions of the Round Table
Tells the story of King Arthur, the knights of the Round Table, and how the magician Merlin was betrayed to his undoing by Vivian the sorceress.