Maurice Sendak 'Where The Wild Things Are' Print Release Details

Artist: Maurice Sendak
Title: Where The Wild Things Are
Medium: Multi Color Screen Print
Size: 20 x 20 Inches
Edition: 150
Price: $50

*available at 12pm EST on Monday February 9th, 2026

_______________

Maurice Bernard Sendak remains a legend within the realm of American illustration and literary arts, hailed by the limited edition art print and poster collector community for his intricate linework and profound emotional depth. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1928, this visionary artist first started focusing on art during a sickly childhood that confined him to his bed, where he found solace in sketching and observing the world from his window. His formal education took place at the Art Students League of New York, an institution that helped refine the technical prowess he would later apply to his legendary lithographs and narrative illustrations. Throughout his prolific career, Maurice Sendak garnered significant accomplishments that elevated the status of children’s book illustration to a high art form, most notably becoming the first American to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration in 1970.

The market for rare posters and original prints often focuses on his most iconic works which challenge traditional boundaries of storytelling. Among his most famous pieces of art are the illustrations for Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, and Outside Over There. These works are frequently sought after in the secondary market, especially those originating from major art shows and gallery shows such as the massive retrospective at the Denver Art Museum or the dedicated exhibitions at the Morgan Library and Museum in Manhattan. Collectors value the way Maurice Sendak utilized cross hatching and atmospheric depth to create worlds that feel both ancient and immediate. His work is often characterized by a gothic sensibility and a mastery of the watercolor medium, ensuring that his legacy as a premier figure in twentieth century American art remains unchallenged.

While many enthusiasts categorize him alongside contemporary figures because of his lasting influence, his body of work is firmly rooted in a specific era of mid-century publishing and classical draftsmanship. His contributions extend beyond the page into the world of set design and opera, showcasing a versatile talent that translated perfectly into large scale visual formats. For the dedicated poster collector, obtaining a high quality print of a Maurice Sendak illustration represents an investment in a piece of cultural history that resonates with themes of resilience and the untamed imagination. His ability to capture the complexities of the human experience through the eyes of a child has ensured that his name remains synonymous with artistic excellence in both the literary and fine art sectors.

Maurice Sendak 'Where The Wild Things Are: Off To Bed' Print Release Details

Artist: Maurice Sendak
Title: Where The Wild Things Are: Off To Bed
Medium: Multi Color Screen Print
Size: 36 x 12 Inches
Edition: 300
Price: $60

*available at Noon EST on Thursday October 16th, 2025

____________________

Maurice Sendak was an American artist and writer born in 1928 in Brooklyn New York to Polish Jewish immigrant parents. He became one of the most influential creators of children literature through his ability to acknowledge the complex emotions of childhood. Sendak illustrated more than one hundred books during his career but achieved lasting fame as the author and artist of Where the Wild Things Are published in 1963. The story follows Max a boy who sails to an island of fearsome creatures after being sent to bed without supper and it revolutionized picture books by presenting a protagonist who acts out anger and experiences darkness without moralizing resolution.

Sendak distinctive visual style combined crosshatching expressive characters and dreamlike landscapes that felt both inviting and slightly dangerous. He believed children deserved honest stories that reflected their inner turmoil rather than sanitized versions of reality. His other major works include In the Night Kitchen and Outside Over There which together with Wild Things form a trilogy exploring the emotional terrain of youth. Sendak also designed sets and costumes for opera and ballet productions bringing his imaginative vision to new audiences. He received numerous honors including the Caldecott Medal the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the National Medal of Arts. Sendak died in 2012 yet his books continue to resonate because they validate the wildness wonder and occasional terror that accompany growing up.