Animation &Bill Peckmann &Books &Disney &Illustration &Layout & Design &Models 01 Sep 2010 07:38 am
Horvath – 1
Ferdinand Horvath was a Hungarian book illustrator, who was born in 1891 and died of a stroke in 1973. From 1934-1937, he worked at the Disney Studios in multifarious positions doing everything from painting backgrounds and doing layouts to constructing three dimensional models to designing characters and gags for over fifty Silly Symphonies and Mickey Mouse shorts.
Prior to working at Disney, he labored at Paul Terry’s studio on the “Aesop’s Fables” series. Once he left Disney, he designed models and layouts for “Scrappy,” “Krazy Kat” on shorts for Columbia/Screen Gems. In 1940, he sculpted puppets for George Pal’s Puppetoons.
He was a versatile artist whose work was an inspiration for many Disney artists. The following booklet was published by Graphis Gallery and put together by Bruce Hamilton. The opening material explains itself.
Bill Peckmann sent me scans of these pages, and I thank him for keeping Horvath alive.
Front cover of the catalogue.
The back cover.
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This gives information on what appears on the two covers.
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John Canemaker writes in depth about Horvath in his book, Before the Animation Begins: The Art and Lives of Disney’s Inspirational Sketch Artists.
on 01 Sep 2010 at 10:21 am 1.Steven Hartley said …
I know a fair bit on Hovarth and some of his uncredited work on Snow White, and I believed he worked close with Albert Hurter! There’s more information about him in the Disney Wiki.
on 01 Sep 2010 at 10:22 am 2.Steven Hartley said …
Oh, actually he was born in 1881.
on 01 Sep 2010 at 11:20 am 3.Eric Noble said …
These are incredible!! I love these designs for characters!! I am constantly amazed by what you put on here Mr. Sporn. Reading your blog is a constant source of inspiration.
on 04 Sep 2010 at 11:24 am 4.Eddie Fitzgerald said …
Awesome drawings! They’re gritty and earthy, full of charm and humor. Seeing them reminds me of why I wanted to be in the animation industry.