In a deft work of original New Yorker cartoon art from 1986, George Price (1901-1995) delivers the goods—and the pizza! The caption, which was not written by Price, describes the pizza very specifically in the negative, or by what it is not, and then expands upon that with soaring language that is almost religious. It's hard not to be charmed.
Price was a master of interiors, so it's always worth taking a look at how he sets the scene. The vantage point is high—at eye level with the man—and way over to the right directly above the edge of the carpet, which therefore appears to run vertically. The couch is flush with the rear wall but the chairs are arranged catty-corner, thereby encircling the speaker convincingly and grounding him in the room.
Those who were taught never to compose images with light fixtures directly behind people's heads lest they appear to be emanating from them will note that Price violates this rule with apparent impunity. Price also populates his interiors with extraneous bric-a-brac which serves to define the taste of the inhabitants. The pillow and the figurine are especially outrageous examples of home decor, but rather than distracting they somehow add to the richness of the narrative.
The family pictures are drawn with humor and little apparent concern that they might prove distracting.
Both chairs direct the eye to the speaker.
The wife's blank expression focuses our attention on the husband:
The hat and coat tell us instantly that the husband has just come in.
The art found a bidder the first time it was offered at auction.
The spot is reminiscent of Italian pietra dura design:
Note: This blog can always use more original art by George Price. Your scans or photos can provide a message of hope for all mankind.
Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives:
George Price
Original New Yorker Cartoon Art
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St. Patrick's Day
Attempted Bloggery's Index with Extra Cheese
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| "It's a no-pepperoni pizza—a message of hope for all mankind." George Price Original art The New Yorker, July 14, 1986, page 35 |
Price was a master of interiors, so it's always worth taking a look at how he sets the scene. The vantage point is high—at eye level with the man—and way over to the right directly above the edge of the carpet, which therefore appears to run vertically. The couch is flush with the rear wall but the chairs are arranged catty-corner, thereby encircling the speaker convincingly and grounding him in the room.
Those who were taught never to compose images with light fixtures directly behind people's heads lest they appear to be emanating from them will note that Price violates this rule with apparent impunity. Price also populates his interiors with extraneous bric-a-brac which serves to define the taste of the inhabitants. The pillow and the figurine are especially outrageous examples of home decor, but rather than distracting they somehow add to the richness of the narrative.
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| "It's a no-pepperoni pizza—a message of hope for all mankind." George Price Framed and matted original art The New Yorker, July 14, 1986, page 35 |
The family pictures are drawn with humor and little apparent concern that they might prove distracting.
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| Detail of portraits, pizza, and pillow |
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| The caption is pencilled by hand: "It's a no-pepperoni pizza—a message of hope for all mankind." |
The front of the dress has been reworked by the artist with correction fluid.
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| Detail |
The wife's blank expression focuses our attention on the husband:
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| Detail |
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| Detail |
It's sadly rare for an eBay seller to know how to research New Yorker cartoons, but this one clearly does.
The art found a bidder the first time it was offered at auction.
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| George Price eBay Listing Ended January 22, 2019 |
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| George Price eBay Item Description |
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| eBay Bid History One early bid |
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| "It's a no-pepperoni pizza—a message of hope for all mankind." George Price Original art The New Yorker, July 14, 1986, page 35 |
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| Spot illustration by Joseph D'Addetta and cartoon by George Price |
The spot is reminiscent of Italian pietra dura design:
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| Spot drawing by Joseph D'Addetta |
Note: This blog can always use more original art by George Price. Your scans or photos can provide a message of hope for all mankind.
George Price
Original New Yorker Cartoon Art
Pizza
St. Patrick's Day
Attempted Bloggery's Index with Extra Cheese
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