Assignment #1
Why did you choose this as your illustration example?
I chose this illustration because of its bold aesthetic and its ability to mean multiple things depending on the context that the viewer has of the book that it appears on. I am a huge fan of the almost woodcut or etched look that Charles Burns is often known for, this illustration in particular displays his ability to illustrate a fairly gruesome image while contrasting it with his incredibly sharp and clean style. The image also works as a tiptoe into the subject matter of the book itself, the book being about the working conditions of early 20th century Chicago meat packing.
What kind of illustration is this?
This is an ink illustration and book cover.
What is the purpose of the illustration?
The illustration serves as an eye-catcher, it is meant to draw in viewers and to generate interest in the book that it is trying to sell. It also works as a reflection on the contents of the book itself, a visceral and disturbing image that parallels the grotesque working conditions that the author describes within the book.
What was the context in which the illustration appeared?
The illustration appears as the cover of Upton Sinclairs book “The Jungle” as part of the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition series.
What is the message of the illustration?
The main message of this illustration is “This book is bold, interesting, and perhaps a bit gruesome.”
Who is the sender of the illustrated message?
The sender of the illustrated message is the publisher Penguin Classics.
Who is the intended audience of the illustrated message?
The intended audience is the reading public, anyone who frequents bookstores and may be enticed into a closer look by a visceral cover.
What is the communication objective of the illustration?
The objective would be to get viewers to pick up the book
and take a closer look. It screams “look
at me, look at me!” as a way to bring in the viewer, at which point it is up to
the content of the synopsis to convince the viewer to buy.
What medium was the illustration created in?
This illustration was done with ink and brush. The coloring appears to be digital, however I do not have specific confirmation that this is the case.
Who is the illustrator? Where do they live? Where do they work?
This is an Illustration by graphic novelist Charles Burns,
he lives and works in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
