E. Simms Campbell
American, 1906 - 1971
E. Simms Campbell – Artist Bio
Elmer Simms Campbell, known as E. Simms Campbell, was a pioneering African American artist whose work in the early to mid-20th century broke new ground in the world of illustration. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1906, Campbell was an influential figure in both magazine and advertising illustration. His distinctive style and contributions to American visual culture made him one of the most prominent illustrators of his time.
Campbell began his formal art education at the Chicago Art Institute before moving to New York in the late 1920s to further his career. He initially worked for Judge and Life magazines and honed his skills at the Academy of Design and the Art Students League. In 1933, Campbell became a founding illustrator for Esquire magazine, where he played a major role in shaping the publication's visual identity. Known for his prolific output, he created a vast number of cartoons and ideas for Esquire while also designing the magazine’s iconic mascot, “Esky.” His work often featured voluptuous women in vivid watercolor, sometimes set in exotic harem scenes.
Over the next two decades, Campbell's work for Esquire was complemented by his contributions to other major publications, including Cosmopolitan, Ebony, The New Yorker, Redbook, and Playboy. His unique portrayal of women—particularly his harem girls—became a signature theme that was often revisited in his adult cartoons.
In 1939, Campbell made history as the first African American artist to have his work syndicated nationwide. His comic strip Cuties, published by King Features, appeared in over 140 newspapers across the United States, further solidifying his place in American art history. Beyond his work for magazines and newspapers, Campbell also created illustrations for a variety of commercial clients, including Barbasol, Springmaid Fabrics, and Bisquick.
A tireless worker, Campbell continued creating art well into his later years, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and innovation. His contributions to the world of illustration were posthumously recognized when he was inducted into the Society of Illustrators’ Hall of Fame in 2002. E. Simms Campbell passed away in 1971, but his work remains an integral part of American illustration and visual history.
Elmer Simms Campbell, known as E. Simms Campbell, was a pioneering African American artist whose work in the early to mid-20th century broke new ground in the world of illustration. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1906, Campbell was an influential figure in both magazine and advertising illustration. His distinctive style and contributions to American visual culture made him one of the most prominent illustrators of his time.
Campbell began his formal art education at the Chicago Art Institute before moving to New York in the late 1920s to further his career. He initially worked for Judge and Life magazines and honed his skills at the Academy of Design and the Art Students League. In 1933, Campbell became a founding illustrator for Esquire magazine, where he played a major role in shaping the publication's visual identity. Known for his prolific output, he created a vast number of cartoons and ideas for Esquire while also designing the magazine’s iconic mascot, “Esky.” His work often featured voluptuous women in vivid watercolor, sometimes set in exotic harem scenes.
Over the next two decades, Campbell's work for Esquire was complemented by his contributions to other major publications, including Cosmopolitan, Ebony, The New Yorker, Redbook, and Playboy. His unique portrayal of women—particularly his harem girls—became a signature theme that was often revisited in his adult cartoons.
In 1939, Campbell made history as the first African American artist to have his work syndicated nationwide. His comic strip Cuties, published by King Features, appeared in over 140 newspapers across the United States, further solidifying his place in American art history. Beyond his work for magazines and newspapers, Campbell also created illustrations for a variety of commercial clients, including Barbasol, Springmaid Fabrics, and Bisquick.
A tireless worker, Campbell continued creating art well into his later years, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and innovation. His contributions to the world of illustration were posthumously recognized when he was inducted into the Society of Illustrators’ Hall of Fame in 2002. E. Simms Campbell passed away in 1971, but his work remains an integral part of American illustration and visual history.
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E. Simms Campbell
Harem: Sexy Nude Girl Illustration for Playboy. First Black Illustrator
H 13 in W 10 in
$ 25,000
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