Monday, September 22, 2014

Autumn Leaves: Garrett Price New Yorker Cover Art

The autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere arrives tonight at 10:29 p.m. EDT. Every year nature puts on a grand show with the changing of the leaves, and every year artists try to capture the fleeting fall colors.

Garrett Price's New Yorker cover of October 15, 1949 presents the season in all its glory. A lone car putters slowly through the riot of color, it's occupants having travelled from the city solely to experience this spectacular moment.

The close-up of the signature reveals that the paint has been applied rapidly and with great intensity. Seen up close it has an expressive--almost abstract--quality. The colors are extremely vibrant and could not possibly be captured by the offset printing techniques of the time.

The original artwork was in the collection of Charles Martignette. It was sold five years ago at Heritage Auctions for $2629. The piece has some condition issues, but it still seems a very good deal at this price.

Garrett Price, original cover art, The New Yorker, October 15, 1949

Garrett Price, The New Yorker, October 15, 1949
Garrett Price's signature and a faded dedication "For Charles"

Notes on the back of the frame. Who can remember everything?

Heritage Auctions, October 27, 2009, Lot 96239

Garrett Price, The New Yorker, October 15, 1949
Garrett Price, original cover art, The New Yorker, October 15, 1949


Note:  Other seasonal blog posts on the subject of autumn leaves are just a click away.

You're in luck! I also have a couple of earlier posts which include Garrett Price.

I believe original New Yorker cover art is one of the most wonderful topics to get lost in here.

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