Joseph Christian Leyendecker was a German-American illustrator and commercial artist whose paintings helped shape the visuals of american culture at the beginning of the 20th century.

After immigrating to the U.S. from Germany as a child, he studied at the Chicago Art Institute and later enrolled at the Académie Julian in Paris, where he received a neoclassical education in art.

Some of Leyendeckers notable clients included the Saturday Evening Post, for which he produced about 322 cover illustrations, as well as various menswear companies. He was also a mentor to Norman Rockwell, influencing the next generation of American illustrators.
Leyendecker's work is particularly noted today for its subtle homoerotic undertones, created during a time when the gay artist could not express his identity openly.
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