Mingle with Maurice Sendak’s ‘Wild Things’ at the Denver Art Museum

Mingle with Maurice Sendak’s ‘Wild Things’ at the Denver Art Museum

This holiday season, immerse yourself in the dynamic, theatrical world of Maurice Sendak at the Denver Art Museum in Wild Things. Organized in cooperation with the Columbus Art Museum, where a sibling exhibition was presented two years ago, Wild Things celebrates the characters that have accompanied millions during story time since the mid-20th century.

The author and illustrator of perennial classics like In the Night Kitchen (1970), Outside Over There (1981), and, of course, Where the Wild Things Are (1963), Sendak was born in Brooklyn in 1928 and began illustrating children’s titles in 1947. He was largely self-taught and illustrated hundreds of books throughout his six-decade career.

an illustration by Maurice Sendak for the cover of the children's book 'The Magic Flute'
‘The Magic Flute’ (1980), poster, 24 x 17 1/2 inches. © The Maurice Sendak Foundation

Sendak produced an astounding array of drawings, paintings, mockups, and set designs and costumes for his books, along with their adaptations to stage and screen. He was also an avid collector of other renowned illustrators’ works, and viewers can see pieces from Sendak’s personal collection by the likes of William Blake, Beatrix Potter, Walt Disney, and more.

Wild Things continues through February 17. Plan your visit on the Denver Art Museum’s website.

an illustration from Maurice Sendak's 'Where the Wild Things Are,' showing a young boy in a lion costume walking through a tropical forest
‘Where the Wild Things Are’ (1963), watercolor, ink, and graphite on paper, 9 3/4 x 11 inches. © The
Maurice Sendak Foundation
a pencil sketch by Maurice Sendak of a griffin for the children's book 'The Griffin and the Minor Canon'
Sketch for ‘The Griffin and the Minor Canon (1963), graphite on tracing paper, 11 13/16 x 8 15/16 inches. © The Maurice Sendak Foundation
an installation view from the Denver Art Museum
an illustration from a 1981 book by Maurice Sendak portraying a woman in a flowing cloak
‘Outside Over There’ (1981), watercolor and graphite on paper, page: 15 x 26 inches; image: 6 1/8 x 9
3/16 inches. © The Maurice Sendak Foundation
an illustration by Maurice Sendak of a young boy talking to a large lion
‘Pierre’ (1961-2), ink on paper, 4 1/4 x 3 1/2 inches. © The Maurice Sendak Foundation

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