the Pfeiffer Pfiles Presents....the Art Work of Artist Fred Pfeiffer

Fred Pfeiffer was an American Artist
He worked as an Illustrator out of N.Y.N.Y. and
L.A. CA. in the late 60's thru the 70's and into the 80's

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Fred Pfeiffer : My Cousin Rachel - Spotlight

4 comments:

Courtney Rogers said...

Another wonderful Pfeiffer piece. I think we have found all the du Maurier Pocket Book covers that he did in 1970 and 1971.

The Pfeiffer signature is located up the side of her dress just above the blue swatch of color. It is always gratifying to see the classic Pfeiffer signature.

Rob Weilert said...

I'm afraid we have a mystery on our hands. I distinctly remember an early Pfeiffer cover for MY COUSIN RACHEL that was completely different from this one, a picture of a couple touching but not embracing, with each looking outward past the viewer in slightly opposing directions, and the girl was in blue. But, I think the background was similar if not the same as used here.

I only vaguely remember this one because of the girl and the background, and I do recall having seen more than once, instances in which Fred painted different covers for the same book. I never understood the circumstances under which that was done, unless it was because of a mixup or mistake of some sort.

I like this version very much. Here, we see some signifigant hallmarks of Fred's style coming into bloom, such as a color scheme emerging that would often characterize his future work.

This is another one of those paintings that I would give full-page attention to in a book about Fred's career, if one is ever written.

Courtney Rogers said...

Rob, check out the "Kiss Me Again, Stranger" cover that was posted in May 2011. Maybe this is the cover you are thinking of.

Now Fred did repaint at least 1 du Maurier cover where both were printed. So maybe he did it again and it has not been found yet.

Rob Weilert said...

No, I'm not thinking of the "Kiss Me Again, Stranger" cover. When I noted that the girl was in blue on the alternate cover for My Cousin Rachel, I meant that she was in a blue dress, and I feel quite sure now that the background for that one was completely different from this version. I seem to recall a stately home with columns seen in the distance beyond a low stone wall, but I can't be absolutely positive about that. I AM certain though that My Cousin Rachel was the title.