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The impact of Stevan Dohanos on the Saturday Evening Post cannot be overstated. As a prolific artist, his contributions helped shape the visual landscape of this iconic publication, making his work an indelible part of American culture. Through his evocative and meticulously crafted covers, Dohanos offered a window into the everyday life and spirit of mid-20th-century America, capturing moments of beauty, humor, and poignancy that resonated with readers across the nation. His artistry not only defined the aesthetic of the Saturday Evening Post during its golden era but also left a lasting legacy on post-war American art.

The Personal Connection with Norman Rockwell

Stevan Dohanos, born in Lorain, Ohio on May 18, 1907, was a great admirer of Norman Rockwell from a young age. He began his artistic journey by copying Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post cover illustrations in crayon, selling these to friends, relatives, and co-workers. This admiration laid the foundation for what would later blossom into a close personal friendship with Rockwell. As Dohanos' own art began to grace the covers of the Post, he found himself in the company of his childhood idol, with his works featured 123 times over his lifetime.

Influences on Dohanos' Work

While Dohanos revered Rockwell’s talent, his artistic style was more heavily influenced by Edward Hopper, another titan of American realism. Dohanos chose to depict everyday life as it was, often focusing on the locale of the people he portrayed rather than the people themselves. This approach marked a departure from Rockwell’s tendency to idealize American life, providing a more objective view of the American experience.

Differences in Artistic Styles

The distinction between Dohanos and Rockwell also extended to their choice of subjects and their overall portrayal of American life. Rockwell often imbued his works with an idealized vision of America, a stark contrast to Dohanos' focus on the beauty in ordinary things. This difference was not just in their themes but also in how they engaged with their subjects. Rockwell’s work was known for its emotional depth and warmth, often reflecting a quintessential American nostalgia, while Dohanos offered a raw, unembellished look at the nation's everyday moments. Rockwell himself noted the importance of the Post as "the greatest show window in America for an illustrator," a sentiment that Dohanos shared as he depicted scenes ranging from baseball games to gas stations, each cover telling its own unique story of American life.

The Evolution of Dohanos' Artistic Style

Stevan Dohanos' journey into the world of art began with a deep admiration for Norman Rockwell, which inspired him to sell copied illustrations to acquaintances. His formal art education was initiated through correspondence classes with the International Correspondence School, followed by night classes at the Cleveland School of Art. Here, his dedication and talent earned him a scholarship, solidifying his path in the artistic realm.

Jobs and Commercial Art Projects

After art school, Dohanos honed his skills in a Cleveland advertising firm, which laid the groundwork for his commercial art career. His early professional experiences included traveling across the country to paint wall murals, a venture that broadened his artistic perspective. By 1938, he had moved to New York City, marking his entry into magazine illustration with a piece for McCall's. His commercial art journey peaked when he began creating cover illustrations for the Saturday Evening Post in the early 1940s.

Move to Westport and Its Influence

The artist colony in Westport, Connecticut, became Dohanos' home and a significant source of inspiration. Immersed in the everyday lives of his neighbors, he captured the essence of American life through his art. His ability to notice and elevate mundane details was evident in works like "Connecticut Yankee," where he celebrated the laborious efforts of building stone walls, a common sight in Connecticut. This period was marked by prolific output, with Dohanos creating over 125 covers for the Saturday Evening Post, depicting vibrant scenes from what he termed "Anytown U.S.A."

Iconic Covers and Their Stories

Stevan Dohanos' first cover for the Saturday Evening Post on March 7, 1942, featured air raid searchlights from an artillery battery—a poignant wartime image. This piece not only marked his debut but also set the tone for his future works, which often highlighted the American experience during critical historical moments. The cover was well-received, emblematic of the nation's wartime sentiment and a testament to Dohanos' ability to capture the gravity of the era through his art.

Depictions of Daily Life

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Dohanos painted over 125 covers for the Saturday Evening Post, each illustrating unique scenes of American life. His subjects ranged from baseball games and mobile homes to gas stations and children with toys. Dohanos' focus was on the settings and trappings of the American dream, portraying the locale rather than the people inhabiting it. His work, deeply influenced by Edward Hopper, provided a more objective view of America, contrasting with the idealized visions often seen in his contemporaries' work.

Impact on American Culture

Dohanos' covers did more than decorate a magazine; they became a cultural touchstone for a nation. Known as the Cultural Spokesman for the Saturday Evening Post, his clear visual images and poignant messages of Americana resonated deeply with readers. His ability to weave humor and optimism into the fabric of everyday life helped to define the American spirit of the mid-20th century. His works, now housed in prominent museums and galleries, continue to tell the stories of an era shaped by both simplicity and complexity.

Impact on Postwar American Art

Stevan Dohanos' influence extended far beyond the covers of the Saturday Evening Post, significantly impacting post-war American art through his roles in various prestigious capacities and his contributions to art collections across the nation.

Design of Over 300 Stamps

Dohanos' artistic vision found a new avenue in the 1960s when he became the chairman of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee. In this role, he was instrumental in selecting the art for over 300 United States postage stamps across the administrations of seven Presidents and nine Postmaster Generals. His designs commemorated significant events and figures, thus embedding his artistic influence into the everyday life of countless Americans. The dedication of the Postal Service's Hall of Stamps in Washington in his honor in 1984 stands as a testament to his substantial contributions.

Chairmanship in NSAC

Transitioning from magazine art to a pivotal governmental role, Dohanos applied his keen artistic sensibilities to the National Stamp Advisory Committee. He remarked on the unique satisfaction derived from seeing one's artwork reproduced billions of times, a scale unimaginable in traditional gallery settings. This shift marked a significant phase in his career, highlighting his adaptability and enduring impact on American visual culture.

Works in Renowned Art Institutions

Dohanos' legacy is also preserved in the halls of some of the most prestigious art institutions in the United States. His easel paintings and prints grace the collections of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and Dartmouth College. These works stand as a lasting record of his skill and versatility, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of American life and its ideals. His role as a cultural spokesman through his clear visual images and poignant messages of Americana continues to be celebrated in these institutions.

Through these roles and contributions, Stevan Dohanos helped shape the visual narrative of America in the post-war era, leaving a legacy that continues to influence the artistic landscape today.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on the narrative of Stevan Dohanos and his pivotal role in crafting the visual identity of the Saturday Evening Post, one can't help but admire the poise with which he encapsulated the ethos of mid-20th-century America. His artwork, a masterful blend of everyday scenery infused with profound depth and emotion, speaks volumes of an artist deeply in tune with the heart and soul of the nation.

Dohanos' ability to transform the mundane into exceptional art makes his collection more than just illustrations; they are timeless windows into an era defined by its hopeful resilience and the pursuit of the American dream. What's more, the legacy he leaves behind stretches far into the realms of modern American art, his influence apparent not only in the pages of a magazine but also in the grand tapestry of national culture and identity.

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