Howard Pyle, a chronicle by Charles D. Abbott, with an introduction by N. C. Wyeth and many illustrations from Howard Pyle's works.

INTRODUCTION
and many other volumes, of adventures with pirates, of
excursions into the mystic land of souls and symbols, and
even the daring, realistic fantasy dealing with the return
of Christ in modern times. Within the covers of certain of
these books are preserved Pyle's most important contributions to the world of art. I refer particularly to the pen
drawings which adorn the pages of the Arthurian legends.
One wonders at and delights in his tone drawings and
paintings in color, especially those depicting Colonial life.
One marvels at the felicitous display of intimate knowledge
of that remote period, and one is thrilled again and again
by the masterfully dramatic presentation of incidents. All
this is true, but for abstract beauty, character, and the compelling force of decorative craftsmanship (three enduring
virtues in art) Howard Pyle's pen drawings represent his
highest artistic achievement. They stand with the greatest
works of all time done in this medium.
But Howard Pyle the man towers above his best efforts,
and it is of the man that- I feel more competent to speak.
A gyreat stick of hickory is smoldering and gleaming in
the fireplace before me. Its pungent fragrance scents the
room. My pulse quickens to the magic aroma and my
thought flies back to a day in October, eighteen years ago,
when I first saw Howard Pyle. He was standing, tall,
broad, and impressive, legs apart, hands clasped behind him,
backed against another such open fire in his studio. The
smell of burning hickory was in the air.
I had come to him, as many had before me, for his help
and guidance, and his first words to me will forever ring
in my ears as an unceasing appeal to my conscience: 'My
boy, you have come here for help. Then you must live
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