THE ART OF PRUETT CARTER

Pruett Carter was once recognized as one of America's top illustrators, during a time when illustrations were viewed primarily as easel paintings

- Daniel Zimmer

However, as the years passed, illustrations evolved into more than just a visual representation of a story. They became a crucial part of the overall page decoration. The visual impact of a story spread-the picture, title, and text-became just as important as the painting itself. While many illustrators of the earlier period struggled to accept this new concept of magazine illustration, Carter was one of the few established artists who was able to evolve his style and adapt to the market, retaining his position as a leading illustrator for many years. To him, the new modern formula "...was a challenge and I accepted it with pleasure. After all, the illustrator should be able to serve the needs of changing times. As I see it his function is to do a good job within whatever limitations are imposed by new conditions." 

Carter's early work was inspired by the painterly and impressionistic style of Walter Biggs, who was a close associate. By the early 1950s, however, his style became more graphic and linear, incorporating drawings made directly on top of previously painted areas. His ability to remain successful relied on more than just his ability to change his style with the times, however. As Carter noted in an interview in 1948:

The illustrator's first function is a problem of composition, of pattern, of design-including the rich contrast of the illustration itself with the type matter and headlines of the story.