I don’t know what first drew me to the art of R. Crumb. Aside from enjoying his style, I think it’s because I resemble the kinds of women he draws. Strong, thick, curvy women who don’t apologize for existing and taking up space. Crumb is unapologetic in what he finds sexy and beautiful and shares it with the world through his drawings. He also challenges the societal norms that he and so many of us were raised with. And while Crumb may be a man who follows his own path, he is also a student of the artists who came before him.
Buy Art & Beauty: Drawings by R. CrumbIn 1996, Crumb combined his erotic and sensual art with quotes from various artists and creatives who have inspired him into what became the first issue of Art & Beauty Magazine. Over the next two decades, Crumb would go on to publish two more issues of the magazine. Fantagraphics has combined all three issues into one beautiful book, Art & Beauty: Drawings by R. Crumb. The book is arranged chronologically and spans 20 years of Crumb’s career and creations, with an introduction by gallerist and Crumb supporter Paul Morris.
I truly enjoyed seeing Crumb’s art curated alongside the quotes and texts from those that affected and inspired him and influenced his drawings. The introduction by Morris is a strong way to open this book and helps the reader contextualize this collection and Crumb’s work. Art & Beauty serves as a good reminder that what some people consider “lowbrow” is truly high concept and that underground comics deserve more attention in the light of day.
For fans of Crumb, Art & Beauty: Drawings by R. Crumb is a fantastic addition to their libraries. But this collection of work can also serve as a great introduction to his art for newbies.
Art & Beauty: Drawings by R. Crumb is a hardback edition of 128 pages and is available through Fantagraphics or other sellers of art and graphic work. It is available now.
