Lecture will explore an artist's ties to Geneva

Geneva History Center archivist Ron Rawson will present a special lecture about internationally acclaimed graphic artist Will H. Bradley at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30.

Rawson has 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 already was 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 pre-eminent Art Nouveau graphic artists. His work is internationally renowned and is favorably compared with Aubrey Beardsley, Jules Cheret and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

Admission is $5 for nonmembers and $3 for members, with all proceeds benefiting the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St. For details, call Rawson at (630) 232-4951.