Arthur Burdett Frost, often referred to as A. B. Frost, was a prominent American illustrator, graphic artist, painter, and comics writer, born on January 17, 1851, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The eldest of ten siblings, he grew up in a creative environment, influenced by his father, John Frost, a historian and professor of literature. At fifteen, Frost began an internship that introduced him to engraving and lithography, laying the groundwork for his artistic career.
While largely self-taught, he received formal training under notable artists such as Thomas Eakins and William Merritt Chase at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. His breakthrough came in 1874 when he illustrated "Out of the Hurly Burly," a collection of humorous short stories by Charles Heber Clark, which garnered commercial success and marked the start of his illustration career.
Frost’s professional journey included a stint at The Daily Graphic and a significant role in the art department of Harper & Brothers. Here, he collaborated with celebrated illustrators like Howard Pyle and Frederic Remington, honing his skills across various techniques, from cartooning to photorealistic painting. A move to London in 1877 allowed him to further expand his repertoire, successfully illustrating works for literary giants such as Mark Twain and Charles Dickens.
In 1892, he partnered with Joel Chandler Harris, contributing illustrations of Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit to the beloved tales, including "Uncle Remus: His Songs and Sayings." Frost's work drew inspiration from the serial photography of Eadward Muybridge, which influenced his innovative approach to creating dynamic illustration sequences, a precursor to modern comic strips.
An avid golfer, Frost infused his passion for the sport into his art, producing illustrations that captured the excitement and intricacies of golf. His work appeared in various publications, including "The Golfer's Alphabet" and "Collier's" magazine.
Frost married fellow artist Emily Louise Phillips in 1883, and the couple moved to Paris in 1908 for their children's artistic education. After their return to the United States, he continued to work as an illustrator, contributing notably to "Life" magazine. In 1924, he relocated to Pasadena, California, where he passed away on June 22, 1928. His legacy includes induction into the Society of Illustrators' Hall of Fame in 1985, and his depiction of Brer Rabbit remains a celebrated part of American illustration history, even appearing on a commemorative stamp in 2001. Frost is interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.
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