Edward McKnight Kauffer

Edward McKnight Kauffer ( born December 14, 1891 in Montana, † October 22, 1954 in New York, NY ) was an American graphic artist. For much of his life he spent in the UK.

Life and work

Kauffer studied in San Francisco at the California School of Design in Chicago at the Art Institute of Chicago as well as in London and got there in 1915 a large contract from the London Underground transport company. Out of gratitude to his mentor Professor Joseph McKnight of the University of Utah over, he added his last name in his name. His work reflects the billboards dominate between the two world wars and advertising design. His book illustrations (mainly Nonesuch Press) and stage pictures were widely known. 1940 Kauffer returned to the U.S., back to New York.

One of his classic designs has now been re- imposed as a carpet of habitat. The original hangs in the British Victoria and Albert Museum in London. For many years he worked with the famous textile designer Marion Dorn, whom he married in 1950. On the documenta III in Kassel in 1964 works were shown by him in the Graphics Department.