Richard Taylor: Burying True Love?

An original color illustration by Richard Taylor (1902-1970) was sold three months ago on eBay. The setting is nighttime in the woods. The art shows an older, balding man dressed in tie and tails. He is holding a shovel laden with soil, filling in a grave holding a single long-stemmed rose.

The artwork was sold three months ago on eBay. The seller knew nothing of where it may have been published.

Who is this man? Why does he look surprised and fearful? Does the rose represent true love? We may never know.

Richard Taylor's initials

Verso of illustration board

"R. Taylor/New Yorker Cartoonist." Noted.

Richard Taylor
eBay listing ended March 4, 2025

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156682356593?_skw=%22Richard+Taylor%22&itmmeta=01JTEWJS20ZFDPC80E7VDEBX69&hash=item247aff0771:g:WMkAAOSwtSBnhHp8&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cIEMlUc01EdMssDby1YfQG2vnEbEdxn77gGuRibHwYqVukOYi0yAGCLstjhjj7E9qDRWm

2QJf%2Bv0Ljc0tYBM7e44SDOrJ4f4xIMhqeJn0SwGGuwRR3h%2B4mDo4zz1cIGFP2qwKDAoHxiptKvNO7MaRWpCo6h2c1Do3CTElKfYkrUkICa6OWQpoCK4JrDsvQvyhO%2BuBSgjb1w8xqv95TKHlIVFyxHEUg%2FIdRIp8NpvkT7O3nDr82l3OIHase40ok0%2Bs%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5SRy9zTZQ

Richard Taylor
eBay item description

Huh?

Note:  Where and when was this published? Any reader in the know is asked to step forward, avoiding the open grave, of course.

It's a good thing original cartoon art by Richard Taylor has a second home here on the blog. Collectors may send images here for posting.

04961