Collection ID: KA.0041.01

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Erickson, Carl
Abstract:
Carl Erickson (1891-1958), who signed his work "Eric," was a leading fashion illustrator whose drawings appeared in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, among other publications. In 1964, Parsons School of Design hosted a retrospective of Erickson's work. The New School Archives' collection consists of fourteen works, possibly originating from that exhibit.
Extent:
.1 Cubic Feet and 11 folders containing 14 illustrations
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], [date (if known)], Carl Erickson (Eric) fashion illustrations, KA.0041, box __, folder __, New School Archives, The New School, New York, New York.

Background

Scope and Content:

The collection consists of fourteen drawings, which range in size from 12 x 14 inches to 25 x 39 inches. All drawings featuring dates are dated 1949.

Biographical / Historical:

Born in Joliet, Illinois in 1891, Carl Erickson received a formal arts education at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, known today as the Art Institute of Chicago. Before moving to New York in 1914, Erickson worked on advertising accounts for such clients as the Chicago-based department store, Marshall Field's, and the Lord & Thomas ad agency.

Working from a studio in New York's Flatiron Building, Erickson launched his fashion ilustration career drawing for the trade journal, the Dry Goods Economist. His media included charcoal, pencil, Chinese ink, watercolor, and gouache. Around this time, he began signing his illustrations and portraits, "Eric."

In 1920, Erickson moved to Paris, where he began illustrating for French Vogue. He lived in Paris with his family for two decades before returning to the United States. Although Erickson is best known for his Vogue illustrations, he also created commercial artwork for a number of corporate clients.

Following Erickson's death in 1958, the Brooklyn Museum and Parsons School of Design hosted retrospectives of his work in 1959 and 1964, respectively. Today, Erickson is recognized as one of the most influential fashion illustrators of the twentieth century.

Acquisition information:
Drawings in the collection were displayed in the Fashion Design Department of Parsons School of Design prior to their transfer to the New School Archives. Parsons School of Design hosted an exhibition of Erickson's work in 1964 at which numerous drawings were sold. The drawings in the New School Archives' collection may represent unsold drawings from that exhibition.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

Collection is open for research use. Please contact archivist@newschool.edu for appointment.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

To publish images of material from this collection, permission must be obtained in writing from the New School Archives. Please contact: archivist@newschool.edu.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Identification of item], [date (if known)], Carl Erickson (Eric) fashion illustrations, KA.0041, box __, folder __, New School Archives, The New School, New York, New York.

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
66 Fifth Avenue
Room N102
New York, NY 10011, United States
CONTACT:
archivist@newschool.edu