Kurt Werth
Encyclopedia
Kurt Werth was a German born illustrator of children’s books.
Werth was born September 21, 1896 in Leipzig, Germany. He studied at the State Academy for the Graphic Arts in Leipzig beginning in 1913. He studied there for two years before being drafted into the German army. After his two years of service he returned to the Academy. His professor was influenced by Cezanne, although the public wasn't yet aware of the new trend of cubism in art. At the Academy, Werth studied the new graphic techniques and tried them out as illustrations of literary works. After graduating, Werth began to illustrate books, the first being Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida
which was well-received.
Werth moved to Munich, Germany
after graduating, to draw satirical cartoons for various Munich magazines. In 1928, he and his wife Margaret, a Jewish German, moved to Berlin, Germany
so that she could become part of the City Theater. In Berlin, Werth continued to draw satirical cartoons for Berlin magazines.
With Hitler's increasing power, the magazines folded, and Margaret Werth, who was Jewish, was not allowed to work. In the 1939 the Werths immigrated to the United States where Werth found employment illustrating a Sunday column in the New York Times magazine.
Werth began drawing political cartoons for a wide number of U.S. magazines with a political bent once the U.S. became involved in World War II
. After the war Werth began to illustrate children’s books. One of his first attempts was Rosalys Hall
's The Merry Miller. This attempt lead to many other offers for illustrating work.
Werth became a United States citizen in 1947.
Werth states, "As a German I was certainly influenced by the tradition of exact and thorough training in drawing. This goes back to Durer and even farther." He attempts to illustrate children's books in a "modern style." "Books have to be illustrated in our times. They should show the style of our times. Not all of them do it."
Kurt Werth died in New York City
on August 25, 1983.
Werth was born September 21, 1896 in Leipzig, Germany. He studied at the State Academy for the Graphic Arts in Leipzig beginning in 1913. He studied there for two years before being drafted into the German army. After his two years of service he returned to the Academy. His professor was influenced by Cezanne, although the public wasn't yet aware of the new trend of cubism in art. At the Academy, Werth studied the new graphic techniques and tried them out as illustrations of literary works. After graduating, Werth began to illustrate books, the first being Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida
Troilus and Cressida
Troilus and Cressida is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1602. It was also described by Frederick S. Boas as one of Shakespeare's problem plays. The play ends on a very bleak note with the death of the noble Trojan Hector and destruction of the love between Troilus...
which was well-received.
Werth moved to Munich, Germany
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
after graduating, to draw satirical cartoons for various Munich magazines. In 1928, he and his wife Margaret, a Jewish German, moved to Berlin, Germany
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
so that she could become part of the City Theater. In Berlin, Werth continued to draw satirical cartoons for Berlin magazines.
With Hitler's increasing power, the magazines folded, and Margaret Werth, who was Jewish, was not allowed to work. In the 1939 the Werths immigrated to the United States where Werth found employment illustrating a Sunday column in the New York Times magazine.
Werth began drawing political cartoons for a wide number of U.S. magazines with a political bent once the U.S. became involved in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war Werth began to illustrate children’s books. One of his first attempts was Rosalys Hall
Rosalys Hall
Rosalys Haskell Hall was an American author of children’s books.Hall was seven times descended from Roger Williams and the great-grand niece of Maud Howe Elliott...
's The Merry Miller. This attempt lead to many other offers for illustrating work.
Werth became a United States citizen in 1947.
Werth states, "As a German I was certainly influenced by the tradition of exact and thorough training in drawing. This goes back to Durer and even farther." He attempts to illustrate children's books in a "modern style." "Books have to be illustrated in our times. They should show the style of our times. Not all of them do it."
Kurt Werth died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on August 25, 1983.
Awards
- Lewis Carroll Shelf AwardLewis Carroll Shelf AwardThe Lewis Carroll Shelf Award was started in 1958 by Dr. David C. Davis with the assistance of Prof. Lola Pierstorff, Director Instructional Materials Center, Univ. of Wisconsin and Madeline Allen Davis, WHA Wisconsin Public Radio. Awards were presented annually at the Wisconsin Book Conference...
in 1969 for McBroom Tells the Truth by Sid FleischmanSid FleischmanAlbert Sidney Fleischman , pen name Sid Fleischman, was a Newbery Medal-winning author of children's books, screenplays, novels for adults, and books on magic. His works for children are known for their humor, imagery, zesty plotting, and exploration of the byways of American history... - Golden Kite AwardGolden Kite AwardThe Golden Kite Awards are given annually by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators to recognize excellence in children’s literature. Instituted in 1972, the Golden Kite Awards are the only children’s literary award judged by a jury of peers...
in 1973 for McBroom the Rainmaker by Sid Fleischman, - New Jersey Institute of Technology Award in 1971 for That Jefferson Boy.
Illustrated books
- No Ducks For Dinner; story by Rosalys Hall. 1953
- The year without a Santa Claus. by Phyllis McGinleyPhyllis McGinleyPhyllis McGinley was an American writer of children's books and poet about the positive aspects of suburban life.McGinley was born in Ontario, Oregon...
. 1957 - Molly and the giant, by Kurt Werth; Mabel Watts. 1973
- McBroom's zoo, by Sid Fleischman; Kurt Werth. 1972
- McBroom tells the truth, by Sid Fleischman; Kurt Werth. 1966
- Noodles, nitwits, and numskulls by Maria Leach; Kurt Werth. 1961
- Tony's birds. by Millicent SelsamMillicent SelsamMillicent Selsam was an American children’s author.Selsam was born in New York City May 30, 1912. She became interested in biology during her high school years. She took this interest to college when she studied biology at Brooklyn College. She was then offered a fellowship teaching at Columbia...
; Kurt Werth. 1961 - A tiger called Thomas. by Charlotte ZolotowCharlotte ZolotowCharlotte Zolotow is an American author, poet, editor, and publisher of many books for children ....
. 1963 - McBroom's Ear, by Sid Fleischman; Kurt Werth. 1969
- One dark night. by Edna Mitchell Preston; Kurt Werth. 1969
- McBroom and the big wind, by Sid Fleischman; Kurt Werth. 1967
- The thing at the foot of the bed, and other scary tales. by Maria Leach. 1959
- Dick Whittington and His CatDick Whittington and His CatDick Whittington and His Cat is an English folk tale that has often been used as the basis for stage pantomimes and other adaptations. It tells of a poor boy in the 14th century who becomes a wealthy merchant and eventually the Lord Mayor of London because of the ratting abilities of his cat...
. by Eva MooreEva MooreEva Moore was an English actress. Her career on stage and in film spanned six decades, and she was active in the women's suffrage movement.-Early life and career:...
; Kurt Werth. 1974 - The thing at the foot of the bed and other scary tales by Maria Leach; Kurt Werth. 1959
- The three beggar kings. by Rosalys Haskell Hall; Kurt Werth. 1974
- The legends of Paul Bunyan. by Roberta Strauss Feuerlicht. 1966
- Herbert's stilts, by Hazel Hutchins Wilson; Kurt Werth. 1972
- The story of San Francisco; by Charlotte E Cobden Jackson. 1955
- The newcomers; ten tales of American immigrants by Joseph Raskin; Edith Raskin; Kurt Werth. 1974
- How a piglet crashed the Christmas party, by Boris Vladimirovich Zakhoder; Kurt Werth. 1971
- Samuel Clemens. by Charles Michael Daugherty; Kurt Werth. 1970
- The monkey, the lion, and the snake, by Kurt Werth. 1967
- The luck book. by Maria Leach. 1964
- King Thrushbeard. by Kurt Werth. 1968
- That Lincoln boy. by Earl Schenck MiersEarl Schenck MiersEarl Schenck Miers was an American historian. He wrote over 100 published books, mostly about the history of the American Civil War...
; Kurt Werth. 1968 - McBroom the rainmaker, by Sid Fleischman. 1973
- Lazy Jack. by Kurt Werth. 1970
- One Mitten Lewis. by Helen Kay, pseud. 1955
- The valiant tailor, by Kurt Werth. 1965
- Once the Mullah; Persian folk tales retold by Alice Geer Kelsey. by Alice Geer Kelsey. 1954
- Hear ye of Boston. by Polly Curren; Kurt Werth. 1964