Harrison Fisher is by far my favorite illustrator, and I have devoted so much of my graphics creations to his inspiration. Nearly 100 years later his work still captures the hearts of those seeking the true art of the "American Girl".

Harrison Fisher was born on July 27, 1877, in Brooklyn, New York. He was a third generation artist; his grandfather Felix Xiver Fisher (from Austria), and father, Hugo Antone Fisher, were both artists. In the 1860's his grandparents immigrated from Austria to New York under the name of Fischer. His father, a landscape artist, married Addie Marish Pond and they had two sons, Harrison Fisher being the second born. In 1886, Hugo and Addie moved their family from New York to Alameda, California. Two years later, on March 1, 1889, their mother died, at the young age of 35, from Peritonitis, an abdominal disorder. The family home was closed and Hugo took his sons on a sketching trip along the Pacific coast. Hugo continued to instruct his sons in drawing and painting and was the chief influence in the early development of their artistic talent. Fisher and his brother continued their art instruction at the Mark Hopkins Institute of Art. Today this institute is known as the San Francisco Art Institute.

In 1895, at the age of 17, Fisher began working for the Morning Call, later renamed the The San Francisco Call. Within a year, he quickly caught the attention of William Randolph Hearst, a major newspaper and magazine publisher. He began his employment under Mr. Randolph in New York with the New York Journal. His ultimate goal in life was to become an illustrator, and the influences and opportunities of New York were far too great for him to stay too long with the Journal.

It was during this time that Fisher accepted a position with Pluck Magazine. His employment with Pluck lasted two years, but he also did free lance work for other magazine publishers. The Saturday Evening Post in 1898, Art Exchange in 1899, Woman's Home Companion in 1901, Life in 1902, The Burr McIntosh and The Ladies Home Journal in 1904, The Home Magazine in 1906, Collier's and Cosmopolitan in 1907, and Pictorial Review in 1908. In 1905, Mr. Hurst added to his magazine business the acquisition of Cosmopolitan magazine. It must be noted that Fisher's work was featured on the cover of Cosmopolitan every month for a period of 22 years straight. A total of 293 Cosmopolitan covers featured his work. Nearly 100 years later, Hurst publications still follows the theme created by Fisher of the beautiful "Cosmo Girl", and is the largest selling women's magazine published in the world.

While Fisher is famous for his magazine covers, these have by no means been his only work. He was widely pursued by the book publishing industry and offered unheard of prices for his drawings. Publishers also reprinted hundreds of his drawings as art reprints for framing. These reprints appeared on postcards, novel illustrations, posters, sheet music, programs, calendars, bridge tally cards, candy boxes, tins, plates, bowls, vases, pocket mirrors, tape measures, and many other items. In addition he also found time to establish a portrait painting business. Many prominent stage, film, musical, and literary stars were painted.

Many people considered Harrison Fisher the greatest illustrator of feminine beauty. In the years following his death, his achievements have not only endured, but the art world has witnessed a deepening appreciation of Fisher's unique place in the history of American illustration. Honored by galleries throughout the United States, several works of art by Fisher are housed at the following museums. If you have the opportunity, visit one to experience the sheer beauty that books can never tell.

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