Eloise and More: The Life and Art of Hilary Knight
Best known for his iconic illustrations of Eloise in the books by Kay Thompson, Hilary Knight has been creating art for seven decades. Influenced by his artistic parents, whose work will be on view in this exhibition, Knight’s first drawings were featured in 1952 in magazines such as Gourmet and Mademoiselle. Two years later, he was introduced to actress and singer Kay Thompson. Over the next few years, they collaborated on four books featuring Eloise, the six-year-old girl who lives in the Plaza Hotel.
Since then, Knight has continued his successful career illustrating in a variety of fields. Featured in the exhibition are Knight’s early advertising assignments; magazine illustrations; Eloise merchandising sketches; concept art and posters for Broadway musicals; painted fashion designs; personal photographs; sketches, concept art, and final work for several books he illustrated and some that he wrote; and a folding screen inspired by Eloise. Following Thompson’s death in 1998, Knight drew and painted five more books featuring Eloise, selections from which will be on view. Eloise and More is the most comprehensive exhibition on the life and art of one of the most published and beloved illustrators of the last seventy years.
Hilary Knight (1926 – )
Portrait of Eloise
© Hilary Knight. All Rights Reserved.
This exhibition featuring original art, manuscripts, sketches, photographs, music, videos and more will pay homage to the sprightly six-year-old. Much of the work on view has rarely been seen, including trial Eloise drawings from Hilary Knight in 1954, previously unpublished drawings from Eloise in Paris, and a once-stolen Eloise portrait from the Plaza Hotel. The exhibition also explores the lives of both Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight and the life that Eloise took on after publication—in clothes, merchandising, and even Eloise-themed children’s menus from the Plaza. The exhibition will also feature original illustrations from many other picturebooks by the artist, as well as Drawn from Life, an illustrated memoir.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Hilary Knight, son of artist-writers Clayton Knight and Katharine Sturges, was born in Hempstead, Long Island and grew up in the town of Roslyn. When he was six the family moved to Manhattan where he has lived ever since. In the past twenty years he has maintained an apartment in the center of New York City which doubles as his studio and houses his collection of books, programs, and recordings of theatre and film music. His first published work appeared in Mademoiselle Magazine in 1952, followed by drawings in House and Garden, Good Housekeeping, and Gourmet magazines.
Mr. Knight has illustrated over fifty books, nine of which he also wrote. Besides books, his work has included note and greeting cards, children’s fashion advertisings, illustrations for Cricket magazine, record album covers and posters for the Broadway musicals Half A Sixpence, Hallelujah Baby!, No, No Nanette, Irene, and Gypsy.
Recorded: November 12, 2022
IMAGES
MEDIA
Hilary Knight’s Stage Struck World at the Library for the Performing Arts
Published: April 25, 2017
BOSTON GLOBE ART REVIEW: Hilary Knight/Eloise & More
Globe Arts Writer Cate McQuaid offers high praise for NRM’s “enchanting” exhibition saying “The works are practically musical: percussive, elegant, wry.”
TIMES UNION ARTICLE
Works of ‘Eloise’ illustrator gets spotlight at Rockwell Museum
“The Life and Art of Hilary Knight” captures career beyond the Plaza Hotel
THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
REVIEW: Hilary Knight is center stage in ‘Eloise and More,’ a retrospective of the illustrator’s expansive career
PRESS RELEASE
STOCKBRIDGE, MA—Norman Rockwell Museum (NRM) is pleased to announce their fall/winter exhibition Eloise and More: The Life and Art of Hilary Knight, featuring iconic illustrations by 95- year-old artist Hilary Knight. This is the most comprehensive exhibition on the career of one of the most published and beloved illustrators of the last seven decades. Best known for his work in the Eloise picture book series by Kay Thompson, many of Knight’s illustrations of the spirited sixyear- old girl who lives in the Plaza Hotel are included, together with a curated selection from his extensive portfolio of published and personal work.
EXHIBITION RELATED MERCHANDISE
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ELOISE AND MORE! Books, puzzles, games, fashion…
VENUE(S)
This exhibition is available to be hosted at your venue. For more information, please contact travelingexhibitions@nrm.org.