Julius Diez is one of only a handful of illustrators who worked for the German magazine Jugend about whom I could find enough to make a solo video. Biographical information, as usual, is pretty thin but there’s a decent amount of imagery to discuss and I think he makes a pretty interesting subject for closer examination. As always I hope that’s an opinion you share.
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Love your videos for the thorough research and enjoyable presentation. Always educative as well as entertaining. Thank you ever so much🫶
Yes, I have one or two of these black and white illustrations in Dover volume on bookplates. I had an interest in designing them at one time and bought it for inspiration.
This one was quite interesting! I thought of some of his earlier work as somewhat grotesque, but what a craftsman! Truly a renaisance-man, what with all the designs in ceramics and buildings/ furniture. His contributions to Jugend made me think more of Bosch than Mucha… Thank you, Pete, and compliments for your musical choice for this video!
Thank you, Mr Beard, for another informative video.
Julius Diez had a dark, brooding intensity within his works prior to the Great War, but seemed to calm down after 1918.
I quite liked his landscape works, especially in the Sleeping Beauty illustrations, his last foray into children's books.
His intense style would have suited the original dark fairytales of the brothers Grimm before the stories were 'sanitized' for more innocent consumption.
Was he Jewish? One of the pieces had a Star of David motif.
That could explain why he went silent after 1939. Did he do
any war propaganda for Hitler? He was virulent for WW1.
An undoubtedly great talent, yet not quite to my taste, and I'm not sure why. Thanks for another great episode Pete.
What an interesting study of the evolution of the style of Herr Diez as an artist. For some reason, I get the impression that he may have toned-down his later work possibly due to the fact that his hideously vicious war propaganda works were recycled. You know, the old adage: "Hindsight is always 20/20."
Illustrations are hidden treasures that people like you preserve for the benefit of all mankind….
I particularly admire his depiction of hands.
Always interesting and informative, and visually fun..the best Art Gallery..cheers…E..😊😊
A very dark and hard-edged style. So many great artists and illustrators had such an early beginning. Tnx!
Astonishing work, truly a real craftsman. I specially love how he renders anatomy.
The consistent high quality of presentation is so impressive. Whoever the artist in any given episode may be, Pete Beard's research and narration are the attractions for me.
Knowing we will be shown the work of an artist, and presented in such balanced and empathic ways, makes this channel a joy to visit, and be subscribed.
What a talent! And widely used in so may diverse media. Not all subjects appeal to my taste but his limitless imagination is unquestionable.
Thanks again for your work in gathering these arts here.
Thanks for another enjoyable and very informative video, Pete. I particularly loved the woodcut playing cards. It would be great fun playing card games with them.
This channel has quickly become among my favorite on the platform and that is solely due to the effort you've put in Mr. Beard. Thank you again.
Thank you once again for broadening my understanding of illustration.
As usual great art, narration and music. Always looking forward to the next effort by Peter Beard.
Thank you!👍
Hurrah für Herr Dietz! He could both handle the German unsettling darkness masterfully and put it aside when artistically called for! And I will never condemn an artist for putting all his fury and venom into wartime illustrations — particularly against an enemy so intent on the 'freedom' of East European peoples while resegregating the US Army! "The War to Make the World Safe for Hypocrisy!" He did what he could and rebalanced himself as well as possible afterwards.
In the late '60's , at the height of the anti-war movement ( can you imagine being "anti-war?), I was doing what quite a few late teen commie-loving artist coward types were doing, We'd be working on posters and "artwork" on campus condemning the politicians behind it. It was not anywhere as influential as the propaganda art of Europe ww1/ww2. But artists did get a reputation for their work .And like both era of "war poster artist" it was surprising how quickly their focus changed to an unrelated path right after it all ended.
Another masterpiece, Pete. One man doing what normally takes dozens. Incredible!
Love your videos Pete! thank you for making them. They're always hugely informative, interesting and well researched.
Holy moly, this man was talented at every medium he worked in. Thank you, and if you don't mind me saying so… Maybe you would consider asking at the beginning or end (Or both) of every video for one to hit the like and subscribe to your amazing channel!
This was great. I need to catch up on these videos.
The video presentation is absorbing, as always, Pete. Even if I personally found Diez's work consistently disturbing, I enjoyed every moment of the journey through it. Although it feels just a little clumsy I like your term, visual creatives to cover artists, illustrators, and any category of visual expression. I've struggled, as I'm sure you have as well, with the separation between artists and illustrators.
I am suddenly gripped with the notion of making a trip to Wiesbaden based on the knowledge that an illustrator's series was deemed important enough to render in mosaic! What an artistic accomplishment it is for color print works to have support from craft.
As usual, the music was tastefully selected, a pairing with Mendelssohn that worked out very well with the thoughtful narration by Mr. Beard.
Whether the work presented agrees with my taste or not, I am always impressed by the research and presentation that you offer us. Thank you.
I never heard of this man, nor his works. Really impressive. Thank you once again for opening my eyes to works like this. I wish we had more artists like him working today. What I find in magazines, books, and ads provide little if anything of this quality.
Thanks! such a great video. as a fan of Fantasy art I can´t deny i see as fans of Julius Diez artists like Frazetta and Chris Achilleios. I really enjoy your channel, thanks again, and hope you are having a great start of year.
Another delightful artist, thank you for featuring this multifaceted artist and designer!
Did you notice, even though he worked through WWI and beyond, there is no technology in any of his work? No cars, no tanks, no machines…
I remember many of these illustrations from my early childhood. As an artist and commercial illustrator – I found his work disturbing when I was 6 years old. 60 years later – It is still disturbing. There is some malformed darkness in them that is hard to quantify in one sentence.
Gosh Peter I really don't know how you still manage to find illustrators of this magnificent calibre.
He was an artist of magnificent power,but judging by your comments also complex. Nationalism, even for a man bordering on genius is an ugly trait! When will we ever learn?
Thanks once again for what can only be called high quality content. Unlike our German friend, your output is an expression of love. Kudos to you and long may you continue to educate us.
Did he sleep or just pause momentarily between pen strokes? A very Germanic style and what an amazing imagination!
Illustrious 🎉
Thanks for another fascinating biography of another illustrator from this developmental period as printed media is transformed into the slick, full color product I grew up with. As children my younger brother and I were delighted by looking through scrapbooks that had been compiled by my grandfather's mentally challenged younger brother from magazines and newspaper comic strips of his day. They gave a graphic, albeit unguided, view of print media through the first half of the twentieth century. Your informed explanation of the changes in technology and fashion during those times always calls to my mind the portfolios our great-uncle August left to us. Thank you, Pete.
An interesting look at a not particularly good artist – The figures are often stunted and grotesque, which of course was intended. He certainly is one of the voices of discontent and despair that was common in Europe, and especially Germany during this time, and gives us a bit of their point of view. I come away not inspired or rejuvenated, but depressed and disappointed; which might have been Diez's intent.
Thank you for the quality of the presentation for such an incredible and different talent.
It's fantastic to discover all the variety that artists can provide ! Great job!
I'm sure others have said this, but I think your videos should be required viewing in design and art schools.
Dear Pete, I would like to mention Elisabeth Zwerger.