Yikes...between Santa seemingly making out with the kid in the first one, and the soldier hungrily eyeing the young boy in the last one, something not-so-savory seems to be going on these.
Nah...just the usual early 20th Century gayiety that was prevelant at the time...(ya'll DID known J.C. Lyendecker was Gay, right?...not that there's anything WRONG with that, of course...it's just that most of his biographers try to keep that part hushed up...)
I'm with Jorge on the sketches vs. finished versions thing... but not so much on the "Ick" thing.
The sketches have an immediate quality (maybe because they're sketches hyuh hyuh doyyyy...) that give them more life and energy compared to the slicker finals. Which are still pretty good, just frozen.
Here's some Leyendecker color sketches together with the finished paintings. Nifty, huh? Click to enlarge.
Yikes...between Santa seemingly making out with the kid in the first one, and the soldier hungrily eyeing the young boy in the last one, something not-so-savory seems to be going on these.
ReplyDeleteNah...just the usual early 20th Century gayiety that was prevelant at the time...(ya'll DID known J.C. Lyendecker was Gay, right?...not that there's anything WRONG with that, of course...it's just that most of his biographers try to keep that part hushed up...)
ReplyDeleteCheck out Leyendecker's famed IVORY SOAP mosaic motif poster, in case there's still any doubt.
ReplyDeleteYes nifty! Nifty. Thank you Eddie for educating me about American culture.
ReplyDeleteWOW
ReplyDeleteI'm with Jorge on the sketches vs. finished versions thing... but not so much on the "Ick" thing.
ReplyDeleteThe sketches have an immediate quality (maybe because they're sketches hyuh hyuh doyyyy...) that give them more life and energy compared to the slicker finals. Which are still pretty good, just frozen.
As talented as Leyendecker was, his personal style... that bold line used on the final paintings, it's too intense... gets fatiguing to look at.
ReplyDeleteI really like the rough drawings though.
People these days are way too obsessed about sexual orientation. Give it a rest.