Written by: Cassandra Blake

Margaret Brundage: The Queen of Weird Tales

Margaret Brundage, a pioneering American illustrator and painter, is best known for her iconic covers for the pulp magazine Weird Tales. Between 1933 and 1938, she created most of the magazine's covers, showcasing her unique blend of dark, exotic, and eerie art.

Early Life and Influences

Born Margaret Hedda Johnson on December 9, 1900, in Chicago, Illinois, she was raised in a Christian Science household by her mother and grandmother, after her father's early death when she was just eight years old. Her Swedish and Irish ancestry, combined with her exposure to Christian Science, would later influence her artistic style.

Education and Early Career

Brundage attended McKinley High School, where she was editor of the high school newspaper and had Walt Disney as a classmate. After graduating in 1919, she worked as a freelance illustrator for Chicago newspapers, providing fashion designs. She continued her education at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts in the 1920s, though she didn't graduate due to her self-admitted "inept lettering" skills.

Weird Tales and the Birth of a Legendary Career

In the 1930s, Brundage's career took off when she began illustrating covers for Weird Tales, a pulp magazine that featured fantastical and horror stories. Her pastel-on-illustration-board style, which blended fantasy and sensuality, captivated readers and helped establish the magazine's eerie atmosphere. During this period, she created some of her most iconic works, including covers featuring Conan the Barbarian, created by Robert E. Howard.

Personal Life and Relationships

In 1927, Brundage married Myron Reed Brundage, a free thinker, writer, and alleged womanizer. The couple's bohemian lifestyle, which included frequenting the Dill Pickle Club, a speakeasy affiliated with the Wobblies, exposed Brundage to a world of alternative ideas and artistic expression.

Legacy and Influence

Brundage's work on Weird Tales has had a lasting impact on the fantasy and horror genres. Her art has inspired countless artists, including Frank Frazetta, and continues to influence contemporary illustrators. Her unique style, which blended sensuality and darkness, paved the way for future generations of fantasy artists.

Personal Milestones and Key Life Events

• Graduated from McKinley High School in 1919
• Worked as a freelance illustrator for Chicago newspapers in the 1920s
• Began illustrating covers for Weird Tales in the 1930s
• Married Myron Reed Brundage in 1927

Philosophical Contributions and Beliefs

As a Christian Scientist, Brundage's beliefs influenced her artistic style, which often featured dreamlike, otherworldly scenes. Her exposure to alternative ideas and philosophies through her bohemian lifestyle also shaped her artistic vision.

Trivia and Fun Facts

• Brundage's work was often signed with her initials, "MHB," due to the societal norms of the time, which discouraged women from pursuing careers in art.
• Her husband, Myron Reed Brundage, was a writer and free thinker who allegedly had multiple affairs during their marriage.

Awards and Honors

Although Brundage's work was largely unrecognized during her lifetime, she has since been celebrated as a pioneering female illustrator in the fantasy and horror genres. Her art continues to inspire and influence contemporary artists.

Historical Context and Legacy

Brundage's work on Weird Tales not only helped shape the magazine's identity but also contributed to the development of the fantasy and horror genres as a whole. Her art has stood the test of time, remaining a testament to her unique vision and style.

Margaret Brundage's legacy as the "Queen of Weird Tales" continues to captivate art lovers and fans of the fantasy and horror genres. Her innovative style, blending sensuality and darkness, has left an indelible mark on the world of illustration.