Illustration Art

Like Norman Rockwell, Dr. Seuss created every rough sketch, preliminary drawing, final line drawing, and finished work for each page of every project he illustrated. 

Despite the technical and budgetary limitations of color printing during the early and mid-twentieth century, Dr. Seuss was meticulous about color selection. He created specially numbered color charts and intricate color callouts to precisely accomplish his vision for each book. Saturated reds and blues, for example, were carefully chosen for The Cat in the Hat to attract and maintain the visual attention of a six-year-old audience. 

Even before Dr. Seuss’s book career took off, sharp draftsman skills were evident in his editorial works, advertisements, and cartoons. His ability to move a storyline ahead via illustrations filled with tension, movement, and color became a hallmark of his children’s literature, and the surreal images that unfolded over six decades became the catalyst for a humorous and inspired learning experience.

Secret Art and Archive Works

Illustrator by day, surrealist by night, Dr. Seuss created a body of irrepressible work that redefines this American icon as an iconographic American artist. Works in the Secret Art and Archive Collectionare curated from significant archives including the Dr. Seuss Estate, the Dr. Seuss Archives at the Mandeville Special Collections Library, University of California ─ San Diego, the Hood Museum of Art, and select public and private collections. Dating back to the 1995 book by the same name,TheSecret ArtofDr. Seussoften shows a side of the artist that most readers, familiar with him through his classic children’s books, have never seen. These “Midnight Paintings,” along with significant drawings and sculpture, were often created by Dr. Seuss at night for his own personal enjoyment and were rarely, if ever, exhibited during his lifetime. The original paintings and sculpture, which remain in their respective collections, are considered priceless and will not be made available for sale.The Art of Dr. Seuss Collectionpresents the exclusive authorized limited editions reproduced from Theodor Seuss Geisel’s original paintings, drawings, and sculpture.

Secret Art Sculpture Collection

In celebration of the Art of Dr. Seuss Collection’s 25th Anniversary and the original release of the Indistinct Cat, we proudly introduce the first-ever work in the new Secret Art Sculpture Collection:  The Indistinct Cat Sculpture.

In this remarkable work, we invite the Cat into our world in a very real and tactile way.  It is as if he has stepped off of the canvas and into our lives – a physical manifestation of the many facets of Ted and, indeed, of ourselves.

Despite his distinct fame as Dr. Seuss, Ted Geisel’s low profile kept him less known, mysterious, and indistinct.  One wonders in these moments, “Can we ever really accept the clarity with which the world sees us?”

The Indistinct Cat provides the perfect reminder that, indeed, we are all the sum of our many faceted parts.

Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy

The fledgling Springfield Zoo was a beloved part of Dr. Seuss’s childhood. If his father wasn’t able to accompany him and his sketchpad there, he would go with his mother or his sister, Marnie. Only later, when Ted’s dad became the superintendent of parks, did he also become an unexpected resource, who now aided and abetted his son’s artistic efforts. Zoo animals that had met their demise lived on as their bills, horns, and antlers were shipped to Ted’s New York apartment to become exotic beaks and headdresses on his bizarre taxidermy sculptures.

The result was an astounding 18 sculptures—created during the 1930s—which remain today as some of the finest examples of his inventive and multidimensional creativity. Marnie, who from the beginning had witnessed the genesis of sculptures for The Seuss System of Unorthodox Taxidermy, described Ted’s home and its “occupants” on November 28, 1937 forThe Springfield Union: “They have a charming apartment on Park Avenue, New York, but it is so filled with his animals that I am apt to have a nightmare whenever I visit them.” On the other hand, the June 7, 1938, issue ofLookmagazine dubbed Ted Geisel "The World’s Most Eminent Authority on Unheard-Of Animals." 

Dr. Seuss’s inimitable Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy will, unquestionably, continue to be one of the most sought-after gems from his diamond mine of artistic treasures. 

Bronze Tribute Collection

It has been nearly twenty-five years since Dr. Seuss passed away, yet his lasting legacy remains a vital component of our social and educational culture. His impact on the 20th and 21st century American art scene was profound, with many of today’s most well-known artists citing Dr. Seuss as a key influence in their own artistic development. To celebrate his artistic legacy, a bronze tribute collection of iconic sculpture was created to pay homage to Ted Geisel’s books, characters, and lasting messages. This marks the first time intimate and large-scale bronze sculptures based on Dr. Seuss’s work are available for public and private acquisition.

Bronze sculptures from this collection have traveled to, or been permanently placed at, major public and private venues around the United States, including Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, The William J. Clinton Presidential Center, The Preuss School at The University of California San Diego, The Munroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, and the Naperville Public Library—Naperville, Illinois.

Rare Editions

Over its 20 year history, many of the works from The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection have become extremely rare or have sold-out entirely.  A limited number of these rare editions from the Secret Art, Archive, Unorthodox Taxidermy, Illustration Art and Bronze collections may become available for acquisition during special gallery or museum exhibitions. Contact a Dr Seuss gallery Art Consultant as they may be able to help you locate one for purchase.

Coffee Table Books