George Woodbridge

:"For the British actor, see George Woodbridge."Infobox Artist
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birthname = George Woodbridge
birthdate = 1930
location = Flushing, Queens, New York
deathdate = January 19, 2004
deathplace = New York City
nationality = American
field = Illustration
training = School of Visual Arts, New York City
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George Woodbridge (1930-January 19, 2004), an American illustrator known for his exhaustive research and historical accuracy, is sometimes referred to as "America's Dean of Uniform Illustration" because of his expertise in drawing military uniforms.

Born in Flushing, Queens, Woodbridge studied illustration at Manhattan's School of Visual Arts. [Nash, Eric. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02E4DF1039F931A15752C0A9629C8B63 "George Woodbridge, 73, Artist For Mad Magazine Since 1950's"] , "The New York Times", January 22, 2004. Accessed November 25, 2007.] In later years, he lived on Staten Island where he created his detailed drawings of military uniforms, insignia and equipment. He illustrated many military history books, including the "Time/Life Civil War" history, George Neumann's "Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution" and Frederick P. Todd's three-volume "American Military Equipage, 1851-1872: A Description by Word and Picture of What the American Soldier, Sailor and Marine of These Years Wore and Carried" (Company of Military Historians, 1974-78), a definitive depiction of Civil War uniforms. These books are now used by Civil War reenactors for uniform authenticity.

In March, 1957, Woodbridge began as a freelancer to "Mad" when Al Feldstein was the editor. Feldstein observed, "George's strong points were many. He was especially adept at delineating amusing street scenes with crowds and signs and outlandish going-ons, as well as depicting humorous interpretations of just plain people in comedic human situations. The articles he was assigned to illustrate were chosen with those superb talents in mind."

Woodbridge remained with "Mad" for five decades. Later "Mad" editor John Ficarra noted, "He had a tremendous eye for detail that showed up in his drawings. We especially played to his history knowledge. When we gave him a piece on World War I, he would draw the exact gun and belt buckle they were using then."For "Mad" 95 (June 1965), he drew the sports satire, "43-Man Squamish," prompting Ficarra to comment, "It's arguably our most requested piece to reprint. It struck a chord. Colleges all over formed teams and played this crazy game, with these ridiculous-looking helmets. George captured that lunacy."

Woodbridge also illustrated "Mad" books, such as Dick DeBartolo's "A Mad Guide to Leisure Time" and "Mad's Cradle to Grave Primer" (Warner Books, 1973), written by Larry Siegel and edited by Nick Meglin. When Bhob Stewart edited the "Mad Style Guide" in 1994, he gave Woodbridge the assignment of drawing the "Mad" Zeppelin from three different angles as a detailed guide for any company that might one day market a miniature model of the airship.

Woodbridge was color blind, yet he worked in color, as noted by cartoonist Sergio Aragonés, "He was such a good friend. He knew everything about history and he knew everything about artwork. When I was starting out and they gave me assignments that had to be in color, George was the one who helped me. Even though he was color blind, he did the most remarkable work in color. He was a wonderful man, and I will miss him very much."

Another of his friends was the historian Kenneth Holcomb Dunshee ("The Village Blacksmith", "American Museum of Firefighting", "As You Pass By"). Woodbridge told Mark Evanier ("Mad Art")::I regard myself as an illustrator of historical subjects. When I'm not working for "Mad", that's the field in which I work, though I'm damned proud to be part of "Mad". I don't consider one field superior to the other and, in fact, the challenges are altogether different. In historical illustration, the goal is to be accurate. In "Mad", the goal is to be funny.

Woodbridge died of emphysema at age 73, on January 19, 2004, in a Staten Island hospital. He was survived by his second wife, Deborah, and by his first wife Ines and their sons, George, Curtis (also a professional illustrator), and Christopher Woodbridge. Prints and original artwork by Woodbridge can sometimes be found on eBay.He is sometimes confused with the British actor George Woodbridge (1907-1973).

References

External links

* [http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2004_01_21.html#007964 Mark Evanier on George Woodbridge]
* [http://www.collectmad.com/madcoversite/index-quiz_olympics.html 43-man Squamish]
* [http://www.g4tv.com/themanshow/features/51804/Unaired_Mad_Magazine_TV_Special_Unearthed.html Frank Meyer on George Woodbridge animation]