Pulp art

About

Pulp art is a style of illustration that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily used for the covers of pulp magazines. These magazines were known for their sensational and lurid stories, often featuring crime, romance, and adventure. The art style is characterized by its bold, dramatic imagery, vivid colors, and dynamic compositions, often depicting scenes of action, suspense, and intrigue.

Observations

The style combines visibly textured, impasto-like paint with graphic, heavy contouring and angular planes that simplify faces into forceful painted portraits. Across the sheet, saturated reds, oranges, blues, and blacks create high-contrast, expressive imagery, often presented as tightly cropped canvases within a lively gallery setting.

Look terms

Colours