Artist:
Charles Dana Gibson
(American, 1867 - 1944)
The Education of Mr. Pipp: Mr. Pipp Meets Two of the Courier's Intimate Friends, a Prince and a Duke
Medium: Ink on paper
Date: 1898
Dimensions:
19 1/2 × 28 3/8 in. (49.5 × 72.1 cm)
Accession number: 82.16.108
Label Copy:
From 1890 to 1910, Charles Dana Gibson was one of America’s most successful illustrators. His concept of the model American woman appeared in many of his illustrations and inspired the term "Gibson Girl." His tall, athletic, beautiful and modern heroine was the epitome of American femininity and new independent spirit. She influenced fashion trends and the notion of the ideal beauty for nearly two decades.
The Education of Mr. Pipp is regarded as Gibson’s best illustration series. It chronicles the misadventures of Mr. Pipp, a wealthy American traveling through Europe with his domineering wife and two beautiful, marriageable, Gibson Girl-like daughters. Gibson’s pen and ink style, characterized by rich darks, subtle tonalities, and strong lines, describes the story in this single illustration. As with most of the artist’s work, this illustration conveys lighthearted satire. The scene presents his pointed view of newly emerging wealth and social climbers.
From 1890 to 1910, Charles Dana Gibson was one of America’s most successful illustrators. His concept of the model American woman appeared in many of his illustrations and inspired the term "Gibson Girl." His tall, athletic, beautiful and modern heroine was the epitome of American femininity and new independent spirit. She influenced fashion trends and the notion of the ideal beauty for nearly two decades.
The Education of Mr. Pipp is regarded as Gibson’s best illustration series. It chronicles the misadventures of Mr. Pipp, a wealthy American traveling through Europe with his domineering wife and two beautiful, marriageable, Gibson Girl-like daughters. Gibson’s pen and ink style, characterized by rich darks, subtle tonalities, and strong lines, describes the story in this single illustration. As with most of the artist’s work, this illustration conveys lighthearted satire. The scene presents his pointed view of newly emerging wealth and social climbers.
Curatorial RemarksCharles Dana Gibson was one of America's foremost illustrators. He grew up in Long Island and studied under Augustus Saint Gaudens at the Art Students League in New York City. His first drawings were published by "Life" in 1886, and thereafter his illustrations appeared in numerous popular magazines.
He is best known as the creator of the "Gibson Girl," the ideal woman of the 1890s, who was tall, elegant, and athletic.
Gibson was also a satiric commentator on the social life and morés of his day. In the "Mr. Pipp" series, Gibson introduced the trials of a wealthy American family traveling in Europe. The young daughter is a fine example of the classic "Gibson Girl." The strong linear quality of the drawing is characteristic of Gibson's style.
He is best known as the creator of the "Gibson Girl," the ideal woman of the 1890s, who was tall, elegant, and athletic.
Gibson was also a satiric commentator on the social life and morés of his day. In the "Mr. Pipp" series, Gibson introduced the trials of a wealthy American family traveling in Europe. The young daughter is a fine example of the classic "Gibson Girl." The strong linear quality of the drawing is characteristic of Gibson's style.