Automotive Art: Art Fitzpatrick & Van Kaufman Book

[asbury]

As a painter, I find these automobile illustrations fascinating as well as the collaboration of Fitzpatrick and Kaufman where they each expressed their individual skills with the human figure complemented by the technical depiction of the cars.

[calbob]

That was the excitement of being a kid in the fifties and sixties when the new cars rolled into dealerships. Go to the showrooms to pick up those beautifully illustrated and colorful brochures. Today we recognize them for the works of art that they were.

[timbullough]

These guys are extraordinary artists of course. Also love the crazy Gatsby 1928 Stark Davis paintings for Lincoln automobiles. Crazy colors and exotic birds ... and oh yeah, a car too.

[jeffbranch]

I'm a lifelong Pontiac fan going back to dad's '66 Bonneville. I've collected some of the AF/VK art used in ads. One common thing I notice to many of them - they involve some kind of lifestyle setting and involve water somehow. Whether at a coastline with a boat or a fountain in a city, it seems there are more with water that without.

[jasonrackawack]

Years ago I collected alot of these ads at automotive swap meets and framed them as art, so glad I did😊

[Mike-_v_]

There is a feeling you get starting up a vintage 1960's car on a cool evening, hearing the dual exhaust purr, then driving to my favorite restaurant 30 minutes away...on the freeway... just the heat from the engine warming the interior... then taking her back home to the garage till next time.

[DSP]

I always wondered how you managed all of your car keys -- now we know. ;-) Thanks for the tip on the book -- I agree, they were excellent illustrators.

[jeffrobodine]

I still have a bunch of these old ads that I snipped out of old National Geographic and Playboy magazines from way back.

[martinwagner]

I used to cut out and save picture ads from Life magazine or whatever - was never sure who AF/VK was - but loved the cars! Will have to look for the book!

[robertlutgen]

That 68 GTO is the best cover picture for any book!

[ntdfmaverick]

Marketing illustrations back in the day were amazing. The entire aspect of artwork as advertising effectively no longer exists. Ads in newspapers for mundane items like toasters and blenders were all hand-drawn... just to be published once and then thrown away!

I was going through some of my parents' old stuff, and found some fragile items wrapped up in newspaper which happened to be from the late 70s or early 80s, and I couldn't stop obsessing over the ads! I actually held onto the newspaper, and threw out the junk! To devote all that talent and effort to hand draw advertisements would be unthinkable today!

[kennethzeltakalns]

Love their work! Would really like to know who was illustrating the Cadillac advertisements in the 60's? Those are some gorgeous works of art as well!

[JeffKing]

Ok- you’re on fire! Thanks for the great videos.

[jamessawyer]

In my "library" I have in my room, I have both books, I saw a promo for the Fitz & Van book, & got that last year, so I've read it a few times & enjoy it, Boulevard Photographic I bought a long time ago, & still have it, I'll read through it as well, both are recommended reading for us gearheads!!!

[markbehr]

I have two large biscuit tins with all my keys in them. I buy period keychains to go with them which is fun. Nice book.

[SedanChevy]

Very cool! Also, I'm starting to think your collection would technically qualify as huge!

[calbob]

This book should be for sale on Amazon.

[customkey]

No A pillar vent windows on that cover GTO, could it be a '69?

[SuperCommando]

those ads are so sexy...creating a mood that draws you into the scene and making you want to be a part of it. who wouldn't want to buy a '68 GTO convertible if you could live the life of that couple on the cover? I luv these...have a couple framed on the wall.

[HowardLewis]

Oh my god look at all those automotive goodies under cover. That is amazing. Also, my wife will want to thank you for the gift idea for my next birthday! Interesting book.