Ethel Reed was an American illustrator and poster artist active in the late 19th century . Her work was characterized by graceful, feminine lines and decorative designs that incorporated the Art Nouveau style , and she particularly demonstrated her talent in book covers and posters. As one of the pioneers of American graphic design, she had a major influence on later generations.

Ethel Reed Biography

• Born March 13, 1874 in Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA
• Studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston , in the early 1890s
• In 1895, he began working as an illustrator in Boston.
• In 1896, he moved to New York and achieved success in the commercial art world.
• In the late 1890s, he designed numerous book covers and posters.
• Moved to London in 1912
• After that, he disappeared from public view and his whereabouts are unknown.

Representative works

Poster:

• The Quest of the Holy Grail (1895)
• Arabella and Araminta Stories (1895)
• Poster for the Boston Public Library (1895)

Book binding:

• "In Childhood's Country" (1895)
• The House of the Trees and Other Poems (1896)
• "Rosemary and Rue" (1896)

Reed's style and work

Reed's works are characterized by graceful, feminine lines and decorative designs influenced by the Art Nouveau style . She produced many delicate and sophisticated pieces with motifs of plants, flowers, and the female form.

Reed was especially known for her book covers and poster designs. Her work is not only functional as commercial art, but also highly accomplished as a work of art. As one of the pioneers of American graphic design, she had a great influence on designers of later generations.

Though active only a few years , Reed 's talent and innovative designs left a lasting impression on the American art world, and her work continues to influence contemporary design.