View source for Barry Blitt

{{Short description|American political cartoonist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox artist
| name          = Barry Blitt
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age |1958|04|30|mf=y}}
| birth_place   = [[Côte Saint-Luc]], [[Quebec]], Canada
| field         = [[Illustrator]], [[cartoon]]ist
| training      = [[OCAD University|Ontario College of Art and Design]]
| spouse        = Angie Silverstein
}}

'''Barry Blitt''' (born April 30, 1958 in [[Côte Saint-Luc]], Quebec) is a Canadian-born American cartoonist and illustrator, best known for his ''[[The New Yorker|New Yorker]]'' covers and as a regular contributor to the [[op-ed]] page of ''[[The New York Times]]''. Blitt creates his works in traditional pen and ink, as well as [[watercolor painting|watercolors]].

== Early life and education ==
Blitt grew up in [[Côte Saint-Luc]], Quebec, a municipality on the [[Island of Montreal]].<ref name='owen' /> The artist's first publication credit came at age 16: a series of drawings in the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] 1974 yearbook.<ref name='Ryerson Review' /> He graduated from The [[OCAD University|Ontario College of Art and Design]] in 1982<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Canadian Barry Blitt wins a Pulitzer for his New Yorker illustrations|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-canadian-barry-blitt-wins-a-pulitzer-for-his-new-yorker-illustrations/|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref> and moved to the US in 1989.<ref name="Town Vibe">{{cite web | title=Town Vibe: Cover Boy | author=Wendy Carlson | url=http://www.townvibe.com/Litchfield/Holiday-2010/Cover-Boy/ | access-date= May 20, 2013}}</ref>

== Work ==
Blitt first began drawing political cartoons at the Toronto Magazine. He worked for ten years at [[Entertainment Weekly]] drawing half-page celebrity cartoons.<ref name=":1" /> 

In 1993 Blitt began contributing to ''[[The New Yorker]]'',<ref name="New Yorker Contributors">{{cite web|title=New Yorker Contributors|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/bios/barry_blitt/search?page=2&sort=publishdate+desc%2C+score+desc&contributorName=Barry+Blitt&rows=10&|access-date=May 10, 2013|archive-date=March 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330080732/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/bios/barry_blitt/search?page=2&sort=publishdate+desc%2c+score+desc&contributorName=Barry+Blitt&rows=10&|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|title=Barry Blitt's "Natural Ability"|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2020-05-25|last=Mouly|first=Françoise|magazine=The New Yorker|date=May 18, 2020|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref> Blitt's illustration work has also been featured by publications such as ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'',<ref name="Vanity Fair Contributors">{{cite web | title=Vanity Fair Contributors | url=http://www.vanityfair.com/contributors/barry-blitt | access-date=May 10, 2013}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', ''[[The Atlantic Monthly|The Atlantic]]'' and others.<ref name="Art Directors Club" />

The artist is also well known for illustrating [[Frank Rich]]'s Sunday [[op-ed]] column in ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref name='Art Directors Club' /> Regarding that work, Rich is quoted as saying, "It's a long-distance collaboration – me in New York City, Barry in Connecticut – but one of the most satisfying I've had in my career."<ref name='Ryerson Review'>{{cite web|title=Ryerson Review of Journalism |author=Ashley Walters |url=http://www.rrj.ca/m4196/ |year=2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628053702/http://www.rrj.ca/m4196/ |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref>

Many of Blitt's ''New Yorker'' covers have been finalists for the Cover of the Year from the [[American Society of Magazine Editors]], including, in 2008, ''Narrow Stance'' and ''I'll Get It!'',''First Anniversary'' in 2010, and ''The Book of Life'' in 2012.<ref name='New Yorker Contributors' />

Blitt is also credited with animation design by ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''<ref>{{ cite web | title=IMDb – Barry Blitt | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2924881/filmotype | access-date=May 10, 2013}}</ref> Since 2018, Blitt has been designing the program covers for Hunter Theater Project's productions, beginning with Richard Nelson's translation of Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya.

== Awards and honors ==
Blitt won the 2020 [[Pulitzer Prize]] for editorial cartoons "for his watercolor style and gentle caricatures of the personalities and policies that come from the Trump White House."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Here are the winners of the 2020 Pulitzer Prizes|url=https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2020/here-are-the-winners-of-the-2020-pulitzer-prizes/|date=2020-05-04|website=Poynter|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

Other awards and honors Blitt has received include:

* [[Les Usherwood]] Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 <ref>{{cite web|title=The Les Underwood Award|url=http://theadcc.ca/awards/les-usherwood/|website=The Adverrtsing & Design Club of Canada|access-date=2016-11-18}}</ref>
* Cover of the Year for ''Deluged'' published by ''The New Yorker'', awarded by The [[American Society of Magazine Editors]] (2006)<ref>{{cite web | title=American Society of Magazine Editors 2006 winners-finalists | url=http://www.magazine.org/asme/magazine-cover-contests/2006-winners-finalists | access-date=May 24, 2013 | archive-date=October 29, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029034450/http://www.magazine.org/asme/magazine-cover-contests/2006-winners-finalists | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Art Directors Club, Hall of Fame (2012)<ref name='Art Directors Club'>{{cite web | title=Art Directors Club | url=http://www.adcglobal.org/archive/hof/2012/?id=951 | access-date=May 23, 2013}}</ref>
* Work showcased at the [[Norman Rockwell Museum]] in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, the [[Royal Ontario Museum]] and the [[Society of Illustrators#The_Museum_of_American_Illustration_and_Exhibitions|Museum of American Illustration]] in New York<ref name='Ryerson Review' />

== Controversy ==

Blitt's 2008 ''New Yorker'' cover depicting [[Michelle Obama|Michelle]] and [[Barack Obama]] standing in the [[Oval Office]] was labeled "tasteless and offensive" by Obama campaign spokesman [[Bill Burton (political consultant)|Bill Burton]]. A campaign spokesman for [[Senator John McCain]] also condemned the art.<ref name='PBS' /> In the cover art, Obama is shown wearing traditional Muslim clothes, including sandals, robe, and turban. His wife Michelle is shown dressed in camouflage, [[combat boots]] and has an [[assault rifle]] over her shoulder. Behind them, an American flag is burning in the fireplace.<ref name='Huffington Post'>{{cite news | title=Huffington Post | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/13/yikes-controversial-emnew_n_112429.html | date=July 21, 2008 | first=Rachel | last=Sklar}}</ref> Titled ''The Politics of Fear'', the cover satirized the rumors about Obama and his wife as he ran for the presidency.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Badeaux|first1=Guy|title=New Yorker cartoonist Barry Blitt|url=http://bado-badosblog.blogspot.ca/2012/07/new-yorker-cartoonist-barry-blitt.html|website=Bado's Blog|date=July 9, 2012|access-date=November 2, 2014}}</ref>

The controversial art was covered by numerous media outlets, including the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'',<ref name='Los Angeles Times'>{{cite news | title=Los Angeles Times | url=http://www.latimes.com/la-na-blitt-pg,0,1075537.photogallery | access-date=May 10, 2013}}</ref> PBS,<ref name='PBS'>{{cite web | title=PBS Newshour | url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec08/obamacover_07-14.html | date=July 14, 2008 | access-date=August 24, 2017 | archive-date=January 18, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118225540/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec08/obamacover_07-14.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'',<ref>{{cite news|title=Obama cover illustration becomes a cover story: Obama, McCain campaigns condemn New Yorker's attempt at satire|first=CLAUDIA|last=FELDMAN|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=July 14, 2008|url=https://www.chron.com/life/article/Obama-cover-illustration-becomes-a-cover-story-1765737.php}}</ref> and others. In defense of the art, Eric Bates of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' was quoted as saying, "I don't think it (''The New Yorker'') crossed the line. I would question whether there's much of a line to be crossed. I think their intent was clear, but I think it's clear from the response that a lot of people didn't get the joke."<ref name='PBS' /> ''The New York Times'' called it the most memorable image of the 2008 presidential campaign, and [[Françoise Mouly]], the Art Editor of the ''New Yorker'', said she was "extremely proud" of the piece.<ref>{{cite news | title=Francoise Mouly Discusses The Cultural Impact New Yorker Cartoons | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/06/francoise-mouly-art-edito_n_945687.html | date= September 6, 2011 | work=Huffington Post | first=Travis | last=Korte}}</ref> Regarding the controversy, Blitt was quoted as saying "Anytime I produce a cover, I always regret it afterward".<ref name='NPR Books'>{{cite web | title=NPR Books | url=https://www.npr.org/2012/02/20/146996406/new-yorker-cartoonist-imagines-washington-at-7 | date=February 20, 2012}}</ref>

The cover art was parodied later the same year by ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', with a photograph by Jake Chessum featuring [[Jon Stewart]] and [[Stephen Colbert]].<ref>{{cite web | title='Entertainment Weekly Pop watch | author=Gary Susman | url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2008/09/25/stewart-colbert/ | date=September 25, 2008}}</ref>

In spite of the controversy and condemnation by the Obama campaign, after taking office President Barack Obama chose one of Blitt's ''New Yorker'' covers to hang in the White House. The cover depicts the President picking the family dog at the same time as he is vetting candidates for his national security cabinet.<ref name='Town Vibe' /> Additionally, President Obama requested and received a signed ''New Yorker'' cover by the artist, which depicts the President walking on water.<ref>{{cite web | title=Society of Publication Designers | author=Josh Klenert | url=http://www.spd.org/2010/06/obama-asks-for-signed-copy-of.php | date=June 27, 2010 | access-date=May 24, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316021258/http://www.spd.org/2010/06/obama-asks-for-signed-copy-of.php | archive-date=March 16, 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Bibliography==
{{Incomplete list|date=May 2019}}{{bots|deny=Citation bot}}

* {{cite journal |author=Blitt, Barry |date=June 29, 2015 |title=Paint by number |department=Sketchbook |journal=The New Yorker |volume=91 |issue=18 |pages=43 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/06/29 <!--|access-date=2023-01-13-->}}
* {{cite book |author=Blitt, Barry |author-mask=1 |title=Blitt |location= New York |publisher=Riverhead Books |date=2017}}
* {{cite journal |author=Blitt, Barry |author-mask=1 |date=September 21, 2020 |title=Starting work on the Joe Biden Presidential Library |department=Sketchbook |journal=The New Yorker |volume=96 |issue=28 |pages=40 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/09/21/starting-work-on-the-joe-biden-presidential-library <!--|access-date=2023-05-07-->}}
* {{cite journal |author=Blitt, Barry |author-mask=1 |date=August 22, 2022 |title=Saul Goodman takes on his sleaziest client yet |department=Sketchbook |journal=The New Yorker |volume=98 |issue=25 |pages=21 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/08/22/saul-goodman-takes-on-his-sleaziest-client-yet <!--|access-date=2023-06-14-->}}

;Children's book illustrator
* {{cite book |author1=Kloske, Geoffrey |author1-link=Geoffrey Kloske |author2=Barry Blitt |name-list-style=amp |title=Once upon a time, the end : asleep in 60 seconds |location=New York |publisher=Atheneum Books for Young Readers |date=2005 <!--|isbn=0689866194-->}}
* ''The 39 Apartments of Ludwig Van Beethoven'' by Jonah Winter, [[Schwartz & Wade]] (2006)
* ''What's the Weather Inside?'' by Karma Wilson, [[Simon & Schuster]] (2009)
* ''The Adventures of Mark Twain by Huckleberry Finn'' by Robert Burleigh, [[Simon & Schuster]] (2011)
* ''George Washington's Birthday (a mostly true tale)'' by [[Margaret McNamara]], [[Random House]] (2012)
* ''The Founding Fathers!Those Horse-Ridin', Fiddle-Playin', Book-Readin', Gun-Totin' Gentlemen Who Started America'' by Jonah Winter [[Simon & Schuster]] (2015)

;Book illustrator
* ''Baby's First Tattoo: A Memory Book for Modern Parents'' by Jim Mullen, [[Simon & Schuster]] (2002)
* ''Peculiar Questions and Practical Answers'' by the New York Public Library, [[St. Martin's Griffin]] (2019)

;Magazine covers
* {{cite book |author=Mouly, Françoise |author-link=Françoise Mouly |title=Blown covers |location=New York |publisher=Abrams |date=2012}}

== Personal life ==

Blitt currently resides in Connecticut<ref name='Art Directors Club' /> His younger brother, [[Ricky Blitt]], is a screenwriter, based in West Hollywood.<ref name='owen'>{{cite news|last=Owen|first=Rob|title=Love for Penguins behind city's setting for 'Romantically Challenged'|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10109/1051196-67.stm|access-date=November 8, 2010|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=April 19, 2010}}</ref>

Blitt is married to Angie Silverstein.

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://barryblitt.com}}
* [http://www.drawger.com/barryblitt/ Artist's Personal Blog at Drawger]
* [http://www.wbur.org/npr/146996406/new-yorker-cartoonist-imagines-washington-at-7 Artist's Interview with Terry Gross]

{{PulitzerPrize EditorialCartooning 2001–2025}}
{{Canadian cartoonists}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blitt, Barry}}
[[Category:Canadian illustrators]]
[[Category:American illustrators]]
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Côte Saint-Luc]]
[[Category:American editorial cartoonists]]
[[Category:Canadian editorial cartoonists]]
[[Category:Jewish Canadian artists]]
[[Category:Canadian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
[[Category:Artists from Connecticut]]
[[Category:Anglophone Quebec people]]
[[Category:The New Yorker people]]
[[Category:OCAD University alumni]]
[[Category:Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning winners]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian Jews]]