Geneva archivist to discuss famed graphic artist's work

Geneva History Center archivist Ron Rawson will present a special lecture about acclaimed graphic artist Will H. Bradley at noon Tuesday, Nov. 11. Rawson recently uncovered an engraving by Will H. Bradley in the museum's collections.

The print, titled "Geneva Manufacturers Up to Date," depicts the heart of the town's burgeoning factory district. It originally appeared in the Geneva Republican in 1894, while Bradley was living in Geneva.

Upon further investigation, Rawson discovered that Bradley had moved to Geneva the previous year and was already quite prolific. He had regular work designing covers for Harper's Weekly, Bazaar, Round Table and Inland Printer, as well as full pages for the Sunday editions of a Chicago daily paper.

During his brief stint in Geneva, Bradley provided the cover art and typography for a book of verse titled When Hearts are Trumps. Shortly thereafter, in May 1895, he left Geneva and went on to world fame. Today, Bradley is celebrated as one of the preeminent Art Nouveau graphic artists. His work enjoys an international reputation and is favorably compared with Aubrey Beardsley, Jules Chèret and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

This program is offered as part of the Geneva History Center's Brown Bag Lecture Series. Admission is $3 for nonmembers and $2 for members, with all proceeds benefitting the Geneva History Center. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch. Coffee and cookies are provided. The Geneva History Center is at 113 S. Third St. in the heart of Geneva's historic downtown district. For information, contact the Geneva History Center at (630) 232-4951.