McClelland Barclay stands as a significant figure in early 20th-century American art, a man whose talents spanned multiple disciplines, including illustration, painting, sculpture, and design. Active during a vibrant period of commercial and fine art development, Barclay became particularly renowned for his glamorous depictions of American women and his stylish Art Deco creations. His life, marked by artistic success and patriotic service, culminated tragically during World War II, cementing his legacy not only as a prolific artist but also as a war hero. This exploration delves into the multifaceted career of McClelland Barclay, examining his artistic evolution, his iconic works, his contributions to design, and his final, fatal service to his country.
Early Life and Artistic Formation
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 9, 1891, McClelland Barclay displayed artistic inclinations early on. His formal training began at the Art Institute of Chicago, a prestigious institution that provided a solid foundation in classical techniques. Seeking further refinement and exposure to different artistic currents, he later moved to New York City to study at the Art Students League. This institution was a crucible for many prominent American artists, offering a dynamic environment where traditional methods met modern ideas.
During his time at the Art Students League, Barclay had the invaluable opportunity to study under George Bridgman, a master of anatomical drawing and artistic anatomy. Bridgman's rigorous instruction emphasized understanding the underlying structure of the human form, a skill that would prove fundamental to Barclay's later success in figurative illustration. This training equipped him with the technical prowess to render the human body with accuracy and dynamism, a hallmark of his celebrated style. Other artists who benefited from Bridgman's tutelage, though perhaps at different times, included Norman Rockwell and Will Eisner, highlighting the significance of this educational lineage.
The Rise of a Premier Illustrator
Barclay's career gained significant momentum in the realm of commercial illustration, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s. This era, often overlapping with the "Golden Age of American Illustration," saw magazines and advertising agencies commissioning high-quality artwork that shaped popular culture. Barclay quickly distinguished himself with a distinctive style characterized by elegance, sophistication, and a modern sensibility. His work began appearing in major publications, gracing the covers and pages of magazines like Pictorial Review, Redbook, The Saturday Evening Post, Cosmopolitan, and Ladies' Home Journal.
His depictions of women became particularly iconic. The "Barclay Girl" emerged as an archetype of American femininity – glamorous, confident, and alluring, yet often possessing an approachable charm. These images resonated deeply with the public and advertisers alike. His figures were often compared to the idealized women created by contemporaries such as Harrison Fisher and Howard Chandler Christy, or the earlier, foundational "Gibson Girl" by Charles Dana Gibson. However, Barclay's work possessed a distinctly modern flair, aligning with the evolving aesthetics of the Art Deco period.
One of his most famous and enduring commercial commissions was the "Body by Fisher" advertising campaign for General Motors, which began in the late 1920s. Barclay created a series of illustrations featuring stylish women alongside Fisher-bodied automobiles. These advertisements masterfully blended fashion, aspiration, and industrial design, becoming synonymous with automotive elegance and quality. The campaign was immensely successful, solidifying Barclay's reputation as a top-tier commercial artist capable of capturing the spirit of the age. His ability to create aspirational imagery placed him alongside other giants of advertising art like J.C. Leyendecker, known for his Arrow Collar Man.
Embracing the Art Deco Aesthetic
McClelland Barclay's artistic output is inextricably linked to the Art Deco movement, which flourished internationally during the 1920s and 1930s. This style, characterized by rich ornamentation, geometric forms, streamlined shapes, and a sense of modernity, permeated various fields, from architecture and interior design to fashion and visual arts. Barclay embraced Art Deco principles wholeheartedly, integrating them seamlessly into his illustrations, sculptures, and decorative object designs.
In his illustrations, the Art Deco influence manifested in bold compositions, stylized figures, and a sophisticated use of color and line. He often employed strong outlines and flattened perspectives, reminiscent of poster art techniques gaining prominence at the time, perhaps drawing inspiration from the visual language of artists like the French master Cassandre (Adolphe Mouron Cassandre), known for his powerful graphic designs. Barclay's color palettes were often vibrant yet controlled, contributing to the overall sense of chic modernity.
His commitment to the Art Deco style extended beyond two-dimensional work. Barclay recognized the potential for applying artistic principles to everyday objects, aligning with a broader movement that sought to beautify the modern environment. This holistic approach echoed, in some ways, the ideals of European movements like the Bauhaus, which aimed to unify art, craft, and technology, although Barclay's focus remained more commercially oriented and stylistically rooted in American Art Deco.
Sculpture and Three-Dimensional Design
While renowned for his illustrations, McClelland Barclay was also a gifted sculptor. His training in anatomy under George Bridgman provided a strong basis for his three-dimensional work. He created sculptures primarily in bronze, often focusing on figurative subjects that mirrored the elegance and dynamism found in his illustrations. These works ranged from portrait busts to more decorative pieces, showcasing his versatility across mediums.
His sculptural output included statuettes and decorative figures that embodied the Art Deco spirit. These pieces often featured stylized forms, fluid lines, and a sense of movement, making them suitable as sophisticated accents for modern interiors. Barclay's ability to translate his illustrative style into tangible, three-dimensional objects demonstrated a comprehensive artistic vision. This expansion into sculpture allowed him to explore form and volume in ways that painting and illustration could not, adding another layer to his artistic identity.
The subjects of his sculptures often included idealized female forms, dancers, and athletes, themes popular within the Art Deco movement that celebrated the human body in motion and repose. These works, while perhaps less widely known today than his illustrations or jewelry, represent an important facet of his artistic practice, showcasing his technical skill and his consistent adherence to a modern aesthetic.
The McClelland Barclay Art Products Corporation
In the 1930s, Barclay leveraged his artistic reputation and design acumen by founding the McClelland Barclay Art Products Corporation in New York. This venture focused on producing affordable yet stylish decorative items for the home, including costume jewelry, bookends, ashtrays, desk sets, and small metal sculptures. This move reflected a growing trend of artists engaging directly with industrial production and mass marketing, making well-designed objects accessible to a broader public.
The products created by his company strongly reflected Barclay's signature Art Deco style. The costume jewelry, often marked "McClelland Barclay," became particularly popular. Pieces were typically crafted from plated base metals, sometimes sterling silver, and featured geometric motifs, stylized floral patterns, or figural elements. Necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and earrings captured the glamour and sophistication associated with his illustrations. These items are now highly sought after by collectors of vintage costume jewelry, appreciated for their design quality and connection to the artist.
The metalware items, such as bookends and desk accessories, also bore the distinct Art Deco imprint. Often featuring streamlined forms, animal motifs (like gazelles or stylized birds), or geometric patterns, these objects brought a touch of modern elegance to everyday life. The McClelland Barclay Art Products Corporation successfully translated high-style aesthetics into marketable consumer goods, demonstrating Barclay's entrepreneurial spirit alongside his artistic talent. His work in this area can be seen in the context of other designers who bridged art and commerce, such as René Lalique in France with his glass and jewelry.
World War II: Service and Propaganda Art
With the outbreak of World War II, McClelland Barclay's life took a dramatic turn. Already holding a commission in the United States Naval Reserve, which he had joined in 1938, he was called to active duty. He was appointed a Lieutenant Commander and initially assigned to a Navy recruiting office in New York. Leveraging his artistic skills for the war effort, Barclay designed powerful propaganda posters aimed at boosting recruitment and morale.
His most famous contribution in this genre is the iconic poster "Man the Guns, Join the Navy." This dynamic image, featuring determined sailors ready for action, became one of the defining visuals of American naval recruitment during the war. Its strong composition, urgent message, and patriotic fervor exemplified Barclay's ability to create compelling visual communication. He produced other posters and illustrations for the Navy, contributing significantly to the visual culture of the American war effort, much like fellow illustrator Norman Rockwell did with his "Four Freedoms" series, albeit with a different focus. Barclay's poster work shared stylistic affinities with other wartime poster artists like Herbert Paus, who also employed strong outlines and bold designs.
Beyond poster design, Barclay served as a combat artist. This role involved sketching and painting naval operations, personnel, and scenes from various theaters of war. His firsthand experience provided authenticity to his depictions of life at sea and in combat zones. He traveled extensively on assignment, documenting the Navy's activities in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. His work provided a valuable visual record of the war, capturing moments of bravery, routine, and the immense scale of naval operations.
A Tragic End in the Pacific
McClelland Barclay's dedicated service ultimately cost him his life. On July 18, 1943, while on assignment as a combat artist in the Pacific Theater, he was aboard Landing Ship Tank LST-342 in the Solomon Islands. The vessel was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese submarine Ro-106 near New Georgia. Lieutenant Commander McClelland Barclay was reported missing in action and presumed killed. He was 52 years old.
His death was a significant loss to the American art world and the Navy. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and several other commendations for his service and sacrifice. His tragic end, while serving his country in a role that utilized his unique artistic talents, added a layer of heroism to his already distinguished career. Barclay joined a list of artists whose lives were directly impacted or cut short by the global conflict, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with patriotism and duty.
Artistic Style Revisited: Defining Features
McClelland Barclay's artistic style, while evolving over his career, maintained several consistent characteristics. Central to his work was the idealized yet modern human figure, particularly his depictions of women, which combined classical beauty with contemporary fashion and attitude. His training under George Bridgman ensured anatomical accuracy, providing a solid foundation for his stylized representations.
The influence of Art Deco is paramount in understanding Barclay's aesthetic. This is evident in his use of:
Streamlined Forms: Both in figures and decorative elements, emphasizing elegance and modernity.
Geometric Patterns: Integrated into backgrounds, clothing, and decorative objects.
Bold Outlines: Particularly noticeable in his later illustrations and poster work, adding graphic impact, a feature sometimes compared to the work of Herbert Paus.
Sophisticated Color Palettes: Often employing rich, contrasting colors or subtle, harmonious tones to create specific moods.
Dynamic Compositions: Creating a sense of movement and energy, even in static poses.
His versatility allowed him to adapt his style across different media – the fluid lines of his illustrations translated well into the forms of his sculptures and the designs of his jewelry and metalware. He possessed a remarkable ability to capture the zeitgeist of the interwar period, blending commercial appeal with artistic integrity. His work remains a quintessential example of American Art Deco illustration and design.
Influence and Place in American Art History
McClelland Barclay occupies a unique place in American art history, primarily as a master illustrator and a key figure in the dissemination of the Art Deco style through popular media and consumer products. His influence was most strongly felt during the 1920s and 1930s, when his images helped define ideals of American beauty and sophistication. He stands alongside other titans of illustration like J.C. Leyendecker, Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, and Coles Phillips, each contributing distinct styles to the visual landscape of the era.
While perhaps not as focused on social commentary as Rockwell, or as ethereal as Parrish, Barclay excelled at capturing glamour and modernity. His "Barclay Girls" were aspirational figures, embodying the confidence and style of the modern American woman, evolving from the earlier ideals set by Charles Dana Gibson's "Gibson Girl" and Harrison Fisher's "American Girl." In the later pin-up tradition, artists like Alberto Vargas would continue exploring the female form, but Barclay's work retained a specific Art Deco elegance.
His venture into producing decorative arts through the McClelland Barclay Art Products Corporation demonstrated an entrepreneurial approach to art, making stylish design accessible. In this, he paralleled international figures like Erté (Romain de Tirtoff), who also designed across multiple fields including fashion, illustration, and decorative objects, and René Lalique, whose glass and jewelry became icons of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Barclay's jewelry remains a tangible legacy, collected and admired for its period style and artistic merit. His wartime contributions, both in propaganda art and combat documentation, further solidify his historical significance, placing him among artists whose talents served the nation during a critical period.
Conclusion: A Multifaceted Legacy
McClelland Barclay's career was a testament to artistic versatility and adaptability. From his rigorous academic training to his rise as a leading illustrator, his embrace of the Art Deco movement, his ventures into sculpture and commercial design, and his final service as a naval officer and combat artist, his life encompassed a remarkable range of achievements. He captured the spirit of his time, translating the energy, glamour, and anxieties of the early 20th century into compelling visual forms.
His illustrations defined an era's ideal of beauty, his designs brought Art Deco style into American homes, and his wartime service ended in ultimate sacrifice. Though his life was cut short, McClelland Barclay left behind a rich body of work that continues to be appreciated for its artistic skill, historical resonance, and enduring style. He remains a significant figure in the intersecting worlds of American illustration, Art Deco design, and military history, remembered both for the beauty he created and the patriotism he embodied.
