Cartoon -- The Announcement of her Engagement.

Gibson, Charles Dana (1867-1944)

1912-05-02

Periodicals -- Illustrations.

Caricatures and cartoons.

American wit and humor, Pictorial.

Each issue of Life had a theme that was introduced by the cover and reflected throughout the issue. This issue was titled "Woman'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 center spread. In the age of Suffrage and the beginnings of the Women's movement, even Society women had a changing role. Those who lived extravagantly were being seen more and more as parasites. While it was still important to marry well, the smart society women began to adopt big causes to do good works.

Volume 59, number 1540, page 922.

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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