Bringing to life the timeless story of the March sisters from Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, an anthology of nearly 160 years of illustrations is currently on display in Cincinnati. The University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) is hosting Little Women, Illustrated, an exhibition curated by Dr. Theresa Leininger-Miller, a professor of art history at the university. According to a University of Cincinnati announcement, the show features artwork from rare illustrated editions from the UC Libraries and private collections, highlighting the novel's rich visual heritage.
The timing of the exhibition coincides with the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s production of Little Women, creating a cultural synergy in the city. As a long-time subscriber to the Playhouse, Leininger-Miller saw an opportunity to merge her scholarly interest in illustration with a beloved novel that first captured her imagination in youth. She told the University of Cincinnati that the novel’s popularity persists because it captures the essence of adolescence. "It concerns American teenagers, both the four sisters and the boy next door, transitioning into adulthood," she said. The youths are depicted with a genuine emotional palette reflective of reality – from sibling quarrels to the shared joy and grief of life's milestones.
Leininger-Miller’s dedicated curation efforts have culminated in an exhibition that reflects the novel’s enduring appeal. The display includes classic book jackets, frontispieces, and a collection of illustrations that span across nearly two centuries. The artworks on view bring forth the narrative's themes of sisterhood, personal growth, and resilience amid the backdrop of the Civil War era.
The breadth of visual artistry represented in Little Women, Illustrated ranges from May Alcott’s original works to contributions by modern illustrators. Visitors can expect a diving into a visual history with pieces from artists such as Hammatt Billings, Norman Rockwell, and Tasha Tudor. An additional acquisition of note is a Franklin Mint porcelain figurine of Amy March, designed by Caldecott Medal-winner Tasha Tudor. The professor’s dedication to the visual arts is evidenced by her history of curating exhibitions, and her recent venture into published works, including an essay for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a co-edited anthology on illustrated sheet music.
Leininger-Miller's exhibition not only serves as an homage to Alcott's literary classic but also as a testament to the enduring narrative and illustrative power of Little Women. The exhibit, which began its curation last spring, will continue to enchant visitors with its rare editions and celebrate the vivid storytelling that has transcended generations. Special acknowledgment is due to Elizabeth Meyer and Sam Yeganeh, a Ph.D. candidate in architecture, who assisted with the installation and exhibition setup, furthering the collaborative spirit of this artistic endeavor.
