He was one of the greatest talents in the pre-World War II generation of illustrators.
The following images have been gleaned from the Vanity Fair archives. Vanity Fair's legendary editor, Frank Crowninshield, was one of Covarrubias' most influential clients and patrons.
José Miguel Covarrubias was born 22 November 1904 in Mexico City. Following his graduation at the age of 14, from the elite Escuela Nacional Preparatoria, he began illustrating and drawing caricatures for lit pieces published by the Mexican government.
At 19 he moved to New York City with a Mexican government grant and enormous talent, speaking little or no English. He surmounted this handicap by being quickly discovered by members of Manhattan's Smart Set. He soon began illustrating for top publications.
Mural, 1939
Self portrait, mixed media, date unknown
The following images have been gleaned from the Vanity Fair archives. Vanity Fair's legendary editor, Frank Crowninshield, was one of Covarrubias' most influential clients and patrons.
Sally Rand and Martha Graham, Vanity Fair, 1934
Sigmund Freud and Jean Harlow, Vanity Fair, 1935
Malibu, Vanity Fair, 1933
Radio Talent, Fortune Magazine, May 1938
Comedians George Burns and Gracie Allen
Pencil, ink wash, and watercolor on paper
Preliminary sketch for Radio Talent, published in Fortune, May 1938.
Preliminary sketch for Radio Talent, published in Fortune, May 1938.
Composer Igor Stravinsky
"Prodigious figures in the world of music," Vanity Fair, October 1925.
Miguel Covarrubias: Portrait of Alegra Misrachi, 1953
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