Charley Harper: Beguiled by the Wild 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

Charley Harper (American, 1922–2007) Beguiled by the Wild Charley Harper—master of the midcentury menagerie—has collected an eclectic ensemble with Beguiled by the Wild. Once published as a black-line drawing in his 1994 book of the same name, this image has been freshly colored in true Harper style—from the behemoth rhinoceros to the littlest leaf. True to form, though certainly not to scale, the flora and fauna here can be found throughout decades of Harper’s art. His iconic cardinal and ladybug are nestled among dozens of other creatures and plants.

Charley Harper

Midcentury modernist Charley Harper (American, 1922–2007) portrayed the natural world with heart and humor. In vivid colors and simple shapes, his cardinals, ladybugs, and clever critters have become icons of wildlife art. His illustrations were published in magazines and books, notably Ford Times and The Giant Golden Book of Biology. A longtime conservationist, Harper created posters for more than 50 nature- and conservation-oriented organizations. His US National Park Service posters—massive, requiring a year each to paint—showcase delightful depictions of entire ecosystems in a style he defined as “minimal realism.” In his adopted hometown of Cincinnati, his public works are the legacy of an artist truly beguiled by the wild, one whose art was a quiet catalyst for ecological action.