Discover our selection of illustrative art for sale. Our collection showcases some of the best contemporary illustrative artists working today. With an ever-evolving and diverse collection, we are sure that you will find something right for you. If you are not sure where to start, explore our illustrative paintings, photography or drawings.

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History of Illustration

Illustrative art can be defined as a decoration, interpretation or visual explanation. Illustrative artists blur the distinction between drawing and fine art by taking influence from varying sources, such as graffiti, fashion, computer games and animation.

The invention of the mechanical printing process by Johannes Gutenberg in 1952 and technological advances throughout the 1700s allowed publications to be mass-produced. In turn, illustrations began to be encountered in everyday life.

In the 1800s the illustration profession really took off. Artists such as Jessie Willcox or Frank E. Schoonover demonstrated that it was a viable profession and attracted many more to the medium.

Since then, illustrations have become popular for entertainment purposes, with Walt Disney creating the first animated sound cartoon Steamboat Willie in 1928.