Cartoon -- Temptation: Just Before It's Too Late.

Gibson, Charles Dana. (1867-1944)

1912-06-13

Periodicals -- Illustrations.

Caricatures and cartoons.

American wit and humor, Pictorial.

Most issues of Life had a theme that was introduced by the cover and reflected throughout the issue. The theme of this was the Coward's number.

Charles Dana Gibson was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts to a politically active family in 1867. Recognizing his early talent, his parents enrolled him in New York's Art Students League. After two years of study, he sold his first pen and ink sketch to John Ames Mitchell at Life. He also sold work to other major magazines and was called on to illustrate books as well. He married in 1895. His elegant new bride and her sister served as the inspiration for the ever popular Gibson Girls. He was the president of Society of Illustrators in the teens. During WWI he headed a government agency that produced war posters. After the war, he became the editor and owner of Life. On his retirement, he began painting in oil. He died in 1944.

Two page spread. This cartoon has an excellent example of the Gibson Man, whom Gibson designed to the the counterpart to the Gibson Girl. He was handsome, an adventurer, and debonaire. He was clean shaven in a time when facial hair for men was popular. It is said that Gibson based him on his friend, writer Richard Harding Davis.

Volume 59, number 1546, page 1217.

Scholars wishing to cite this item should include item title, volume and issue, Life, New York, N.Y: Life, date, Jen Library Archives and Special Collections periodical collection, the Savannah College of Art and Design, and the item's url.

Life, New York, NY: Life, 1883-1936

Image

Illustration

9 1/2 x 11 inches

Print on paper

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