The Drew As They Pleased: The Hidden Art of Disney's Golden Age by Didier Ghez. Chronicle Books, 208 pages, $54.
The 1930s was a fascinating era for Walt Disney Studios. After hiring the best artists from all around the world Disney went a step beyond the establishment of an amazing talent pool and hired a group of concept artists. These men and women would be leading the way into the future.
Focusing on four of the first artists hired into the newly created concept artist positions, author Didier Ghez provides a detailed look at their work and the influences they had.
Albert Hurter, Ferdinand Horvarth, Gustaf Tenggren and Bianca Majolie were tasked with the role of inspiring the many artists and storytellers on staff. They were meant to follow their own instincts and explore new designs and storylines.
Through extensive research Ghez tells the stories of these artists through rare interviews, testimonials, diaries and above all through their art. The pages are filled with drawings of fantastic scenes and characters. Much of their work evolved into Disney creations but many of the drawings are seen here for the first time as original illustrations.
Ghez has done an admirable job at bringing these creative minds into the spotlight. - Terry Peters
