| Arthur Kimmig Getz was born in Passaic, New Jersey, in 1913. From an early age he showed a natural talent and interest in drawing and painting. During his teens, he worked for the art department of the local paper company where his father was employed as a clerk. Recognizing his talent, Getz's high school art teacher paid a visit to Getz's parents to help persuade them to let him apply to art school. Getz was accepted to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and was awarded a full scholarship. He graduated from Pratt with honors in 1934.
Getz in front of WPA mural, 1942
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Getz moved to New York City in 1935 and, like many of the struggling artists of his time, began submitting illustrations to magazines and other publications. He sold his first "spot" drawings and cover to The New Yorker magazine in 1936; this first cover was actually printed on July 23, 1938. Thus began an association with the magazine that spanned over fifty years and ended with Getz's self-proclaimed "retirement" from New Yorker work in 1988. Fluent in the visual language of both city and country, Getz's boldly colored covers and his curvy signature soon became a recognizable part of the magazine's image. From the late 1940s on it was not uncommon for several Getz covers to appear on the The New Yorker during a single month.
During his early years in New York, Getz's friend and fellow artist Phillip Guston encouraged him to apply for art commissions from the Works Progress Administration program. Getz won four W.P.A. mural contracts between 1939 and 1942; one for the 1939 World's Fair, and three for post offices across the country. He also was an active political cartoonist during this period, producing cartoons and "spot" drawings for such publications as The Nation and The New Republic.
Getz in front of self-portrait, 1950
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As well as enjoying his success as a New Yorker illustrator, Getz pursued his passion for "serious" painting throughout his lifetime. He continuously produced and exhibited non-illustration work such as cityscapes and landscapes in a wide variety of mediums and styles. (It is interesting to note that during the 1950s and 1960s gallery owners were concerned that his reputation as an illustrator and New Yorker cover artist would hinder his recognition as a fine artist. Getz exhibited art during this period using his middle name, Kimmig, and many of his paintings from this period still bear the "Kimmig" signature.) Getz was also successful in ventures such as writing and illustrating children's books; his first children's book, Hamilton Duck, was published in 1972. A committed and inspirational art teacher, Getz taught at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, the University of Connecticut, Washington Art Association in Washington, Connecticut, and various private schools and institutions.
Older Getz with New Yorker cover, Mid 1980s
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After living in New York City for over thirty years, he relocated with his family to rural Connecticut in 1969, where he remained until his death in January of 1996.
Getz's art has been represented in many publications including The Complete Book of Covers from The New Yorker, 1925-1989 (Knopf, 1989), and The Art of The New Yorker by Lee Lorenz (Knopf, 1995). His work can be found in numerous noted public and private collections.
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