Fritz Eichenberg facts for kids

Fritz Eichenberg (born October 24, 1901, died November 30, 1990) was a talented German-American artist. He was famous for his amazing illustrations, especially those made using wood engraving. He also taught art to many students.

His artwork often focused on important ideas like religion, making things fair for everyone (called social justice), and being peaceful (or nonviolence).

The Life of Fritz Eichenberg

Eichenberg was born in Cologne, Germany. He grew up during a time when World War I had caused a lot of damage. Seeing this destruction made him strongly against war.

He started as a printer's helper and later studied art in Cologne and Leipzig. In 1923, he moved to Berlin to begin his career. He created drawings for books and newspapers. Fritz Eichenberg was not afraid to share his political opinions in his newspaper and magazine work. Sometimes, he even wrote the articles he illustrated!

Moving to America

In 1933, Adolf Hitler and the Nazis came to power in Germany. Eichenberg had openly criticized the Nazis. Because of this, he decided to move to the United States with his family. He settled in New York City, where he lived for most of his life.

In the U.S., he continued his art career. He taught art at the New School for Social Research and at Pratt Institute. He was also part of a government program called the WPA's Federal Arts Project, which helped artists during the Great Depression. Later, he led the art department at the University of Rhode Island. He even helped set up the printmaking studios there.

His Art and Books

Fritz Eichenberg was a very busy book illustrator. He worked on many different kinds of stories. He was especially good at illustrating books that had strong feelings, fantasy, or social commentary. He drew pictures for famous authors like Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, and Edgar Allan Poe. He also wrote and illustrated his own books, including folklore and children's stories.

His Beliefs

Eichenberg grew up in a family that wasn't very religious. As a child, he was interested in Taoism. After his wife sadly passed away in 1937, he briefly explored Zen Buddhist meditation. Then, in 1940, he joined the Religious Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers.

He remained a Quaker for the rest of his life. However, he also worked with Catholic charities. This was thanks to his friendship with Dorothy Day, whom he met in 1949. Eichenberg often drew illustrations for Day's newspaper, Catholic Worker.

Later Life and Legacy

Fritz Eichenberg also contributed illustrations to The Nation magazine for many years, from 1930 to 1980. In 1947, he became a member of the National Academy of Design, which is a big honor for artists.

He passed away at his home in Peace Dale, Rhode Island on November 30, 1990. He was 89 years old.

Selected Works

Here are some of the books Fritz Eichenberg illustrated or wrote:

• Mistress Masham's Repose, 1946, illustrations for the children's book by T. H. White
• The Art of the Print: Masterpieces, History, and Technique, 1976