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The Art of William Steig
Known for his brilliant cartoons and award-winning children’s books, William Steig (1907–2003) leaves a legacy that spans much of the twentieth century. This lavishly illustrated book features over 280 of Steig’s drawings, many of them previously unpublished, and examines every aspect of his work, from the “Small Fry” cartoons—his earliest submissions to the New Yorker— and haunting symbolic drawings of the late 1930s and 1940s, to his later, bitingly funny cartoons and celebrated books for children.
In the seventy-three years that Steig worked for the New Yorker, the magazine published over 120 of his covers and more than 1,600 of his drawings in a wide range of styles, including classic cartoons, psychologically fraught pen-and-ink renderings, and Picasso-esque representations. He brought a new voice to the magazine by creating cartoons that drew on his experience as a son of immigrant Eastern European Jews. In his sixties, Steig embarked on a second career as a writer and illustrator of children’s books, including Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and Shrek! These remarkable projects bring together numerous key elements of Steig’s work: his evocative use of reverie, his interest in cranks and complainers, and his belief in the redeeming power of love, nature, and art.
The story of Steig’s work is told by Claudia J. Nahson and the cartoonist’s fellow artists and writers, and his family members. Together they create a portrait of a penetrating social observer with a restless imagination and a love for his craft.
In the seventy-three years that Steig worked for the New Yorker, the magazine published over 120 of his covers and more than 1,600 of his drawings in a wide range of styles, including classic cartoons, psychologically fraught pen-and-ink renderings, and Picasso-esque representations. He brought a new voice to the magazine by creating cartoons that drew on his experience as a son of immigrant Eastern European Jews. In his sixties, Steig embarked on a second career as a writer and illustrator of children’s books, including Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and Shrek! These remarkable projects bring together numerous key elements of Steig’s work: his evocative use of reverie, his interest in cranks and complainers, and his belief in the redeeming power of love, nature, and art.
The story of Steig’s work is told by Claudia J. Nahson and the cartoonist’s fellow artists and writers, and his family members. Together they create a portrait of a penetrating social observer with a restless imagination and a love for his craft.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2007
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November 1, 2014Great collection of impressions and influence Steig has made and continues to make on others!
October 14, 2025
Outstanding artwork with extraordinary insight into human behavior. That insight only grew sharper and keener during and after his orgone therapy with Wilhelm Reich.
January 25, 2017
great book. lovely illustrations from his work. interesting biographical information.
February 21, 2024
Beautiful art book with great and may i emphasize *readable* essays from Steig’s colleagues, friends, family who provide a glimpse of the man’s life and what he was like. Excellent color reproductions of his artwork that remains compelling today - that line work! The humor! The poignancy in a simple drawing that captures the small and large human experience! The visual strength! *faints* Remarkable how much he sustained that loose quality throughout his career.
February 5, 2008
The exhibit was to die for if you are a fan of Steig. I felt like I was in the presence of true, guileless genius. The book is a wonderful accompaniment, with chapters written by his family, friends, and critics. The chapters are surprisingly well-written and revelatory. It is thoroughly and richly illustrated. I learned so much and was affirmed in my theories of his artistic inspirations and literary influences.
April 27, 2010
I knew very little about Bill Steig, but now I feel as though I knew him, and even better, loved him. He had a zest for life that his art reflected honestly. I respect and admire someone who's life is transparent on multiple levels, who does not compromise, and who embraces everything with joy. Makes me love his artwork even more, if that's at all possible.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews