The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss

By: Daniel.Smith Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Dr. Seuss, a beloved children's writer and illustrator, has an impressive collection of rarely-seen art.

Most people know who Dr. Seuss is. They have read his stories, appreciated his humor and passed books on from generation to generation. But how much do you really know about this gifted man? Was he really a doctor? Where does the name Seuss come from? What was his inspiration for his unmistakable style?

Many people do not realize that Dr. Seuss illustrated his own books and are still blown away by his ability to take the imagination to soaring new heights through his clever rhyme and fantastical stories. What else was the Dr. up to? During his lifetime ,Theodor Seuss Geisel, AKA Dr. Seuss, lived on both east and west coasts, spent time at Oxford in the UK, traveled extensively throughout the world, and even helped the U.S. Army create instructional cartoons for troops during WWII. He began his life in Springfield, Massachusetts, and his interest in cartooning and humor developed there from visits to the local zoo and from observing the characters that he saw all around him.

The first children’s book that Geisel published was titled “And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street,” which was actually the main street in his hometown. His first book was published in 1937, twenty years before he became universally known for “The Cat in the Hat” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and Geisel continued to publish until his death in 1991. Seuss’s books delighted while he was alive and since his death, his Secret Art Collection has enchanted the public.

The Secret Art Collection of Dr. Seuss is so called because the originals paintings, drawings, and sculptures were Ted Geisel’s private collection of artwork which he never showed to the public. Only after his death did his wife Audrey reveal to the world the grown-up side of the art of Dr. Seuss. The collection is shown in Audrey’s book “The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss. Many of these fanciful, kooky images have been reproduced as high quality limited editions, which are available to purchase.

Over 60 years of painting for his own enjoyment gives us paintings such as “The Cat from the Wrong Side of the Tracks,” and “Indistinct Cat with Cigar,” and really show a darker, more grown-up side to Seuss’s humor. He pokes fun at those too attached to their economic situation or those trying too hard to keep up with the Joneses in “The Economic Situation Clarified” and “My Petunia Can Lick Your Geranium.” Yet other paintings demonstrate his artistic ability in simple compositions with stunning clarity.

The Unorthodox Taxidermy Collection is really the most unexpected part of his Secret Art Collection. The original three-dimensional animal heads incorporate horns, beaks, and fur from known animals to create never-before seen, fantastical creatures, such as the “Goo-goo Eyed Tasmanian Wolghast” or the “Blue Green Abelard.” All the wall sculptures have been reproduced as hand-painted resin pieces, and all are very limited in number. The expressions on these humorous beasts illustrate Geisel’s ability to impart personality to even the strangest of subjects and make them much loved additions to any home. Instead of a moose, hang a Seuss!

For the true fan, the most comprehensive collection of Seuss art in the country is on permanent display at ART on 5th Gallery in Austin, Texas. Visit their website www.arton5th.com to start your collection. The gallery has carried the collection since its inception over ten years ago and has become an indispensable resource for the serious collector or for those just discovering that there is more to the good Dr. than they knew…and no, he never received a Ph. D. The "Dr." in his pen name is an acknowledgment of his father's unfulfilled hopes that Geisel would earn a doctorate. Geisel felt that his talents lie elsewhere and the world is thankful that he followed the fascinating path the he did. And “Seuss” was his mother’s maiden name.