Thursday, February 23, 2023

Whitney Darrow, Jr.: Mother of the Month

A work of vintage, original cartoon art from The New Yorker is available on Etsy priced at $1,500. The artist, Whitney Darrow, Jr., shows us one make-believe mom without her pedestal. The year was 1956 and New Yorker readers were treated to a different view of the American family than they were seeing on television:

"There's a very interesting story there. She was voted Mother of the Month up in the States a couple of years ago and given a ten-day, all-expense trip down here."
Whitney Darrow, Jr.
Framed original art
The New Yorker, January 7, 1956, p. 17



Darrow uses light, shade, and perspective to lead our eyes to the former Mother of the Month. The single light bulb illuminates her face and arms with considerable contrast. The perspective lines of the bar lead directly to her. The man at the bar focuses on her, and we follow his gaze. His nose is practically a pointer, but the bold lines of his left thigh, the gentle shading of his midback, and the curve of his shoulders all lead us to her as well.
"There's a very interesting story there. She was voted Mother of the Month up in the States a couple of years ago and given a ten-day, all-expense trip down here."
Whitney Darrow, Jr.
Original art
The New Yorker, January 7, 1956, p. 17

Typewritten caption

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

The signature of Whitney Darrow, Jr.


Whitney Darrow, Jr.
Etsy listing accessed February 21, 2023





"There's a very interesting story there. She was voted Mother of the Month up in the States a couple of years ago and given a ten-day, all-expense trip down here."
Whitney Darrow, Jr.
Original art
The New Yorker, January 7, 1956, p. 17
 

A spot drawing by Henry Martin and a cartoon by Whitney Darrow, Jr.

Henry Martin





04239

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