Underground Modernist: E. McKnight Kauffer
This exhibition was on display from September 10, 2021 to April 10, 2022.
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E. McKnight Kauffer (American, 1890–1954) was a pioneer of commercial art—the profession known today as graphic design. He believed that the street was an art gallery for the people. While living in England between the two world wars (1914–1940), Kauffer produced radical posters for advertising that introduced modernism to the public. For Kauffer, any emerging form of expression that deliberately broke from the past fell under the broad concept of modernism. As a modernist, Kauffer experimented in provocative ways with line, form, space, and color to promote services and products. He did not limit himself to posters, and designed a remarkable range of book covers, rugs, theatrical productions, and more, continuing his work in New York from 1940 until his death.
Kauffer resisted defining himself with one place to call home, one community of friends, or one artistic style. He was constantly in motion, fulfilling a lifelong impulse for travel and a hunger to experience something new. Kauffer and his friends embraced modernism in their creative work, lifestyle, and attitudes toward sexuality, gender roles, and politics. Though Kauffer considered himself a progressive and an egalitarian, his commissioned work tells a more complicated story about his ideals, his privilege, and his perspective on race. Over the course of two world wars and dramatic advancements in technology and communication, Kauffer designed for the quickening pace of contemporary life, until it outpaced him. Through dynamic periods of celebrity and struggle, Kauffer discovered that the only constant in the career of a modern designer was change.
- Drawing, Study of a Bust
- black crayon on paper.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-1155
- This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Poster, Reigate
- lithograph.
- The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of the designer, 1939.
- 95.2019.2
- Poster, In Watford
- lithograph.
- The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of The Lauder Foundation, Leonard....
- 95.2019.1
- Poster, Godstone
- lithograph.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-14
- This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Poster, The North Downs
- lithograph.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-15
- This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Film, A Trip on the Metropolitan Railway
- film, 14:21.
- Courtesy of the London Transport Museum © Transport for London.
- s-e-3354
- Slideshow, Oil Paintings and Watercolors by E. McKnight Kauffer
- digital.
- Private collection Image © 2006 Christie’s Images Limited.
- s-e-3322
- Photograph, Edith and Alvin Langdon Coburn, Grace and E. McKnight Kauffer
- gelatin silver print.
- Simon Rendall.
- 78.2019.4
- Print, Bradford: View of a Town
- woodcut.
- The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Jeanne C. Thayer Fund, 1977.
- 95.2019.20
- Poster, Exhibition of Modern Art
- lithograph.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-17
- This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Poster, The London Group
- lithograph.
- The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of the artist, 1939.
- 95.2019.3
- Reproduction, Cotton Bale Labels
- facsimiles of 35 lithographs.
- Images courtesy of Simon Rendall, photography by Hugh Gilbert.
- s-e-3358
- Poster, Summer Sale at Derry & Toms
- lithograph.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-16
- This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
- There are 4 images of this object.
- Poster, Vigil, The Pure Silk
- lithograph.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-18
- This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Poster, Soaring to Success! Daily Herald-the Early Bird
- lithograph.
- Courtesy of William W. Crouse.
- 85.2019.1
- Poster, Group X, Mansard Gallery
- lithograph.
- The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of the designer, 1939.
- 95.2019.4
- Painting, Sunflowers, 1921
- oil on canvas.
- Lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, The Mrs. Claus von Bulow....
- 94.2019.1
- Poster, Winter Sales Are Best Reached by Underground
- lithograph.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-30
- This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Poster, Winter Sales Are Best Reached by Underground
- lithograph.
- Collection of Merrill C. Berman.
- 92.2019.2
- Poster, Winter Sales Are Best Reached by the Underground
- lithograph.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-22
- This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Poster, London Museum of Practical Geology
- lithograph.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-19
- This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Poster, Museum of Natural History
- lithograph.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-25
- This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Poster, London History at the London Museum
- lithograph.
- Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
- 1963-39-24
- This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Book, The Art of the Poster: Its Origin, Evolution, and Purpose
- letterpress.
- Smithsonian Libraries and Archives.
- 96.2019.12
- Poster, "First Thing Every Morning," Eno's "Fruit Salt"
- lithograph.
- Collection of Merrill C. Berman.
- 92.2019.16