The Gibson Girl classic American Beauty
Ranked #3,337 in Arts & Design, #43,966 overall
CHARLES DANA GIBSON
Charles Dana Gibson was an illustrator and he drew illustrations for the humor magazine,Life. He created from his imagination an ideal American woman; tall, with dark hair and a swanlike neck. His Gibson girl was elegant, graceful and beautiful and virtually overnight, his illustrations became the ideal of American women.
They wanted to wear their hair like his woman, swept up but not too tight. They wanted to have her clothes and her grace.
Charles Dana Gibson was shocked by how popular his little illustrations got, but it had compensations. He licensed his Gibson girl for dozens of products ranching from china to pillows to wall paper.
They wanted to wear their hair like his woman, swept up but not too tight. They wanted to have her clothes and her grace.
Charles Dana Gibson was shocked by how popular his little illustrations got, but it had compensations. He licensed his Gibson girl for dozens of products ranching from china to pillows to wall paper.
The cool elegance of the Gibson Girl
GIBSON GIRLS WERE INVARIABLY WEALTHY
GIBSON GIRLS WERE VERY POPULAR AT PARTIES
BUT NOT WITH THE WOMEN
GIBSON GIRLS WORE DARING FASHIONS
GIBSON GIRLS ATTRACT MEN WHEREVER THEY GO
SATIRICAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Charles Dana Gibson also did many satirical drawings. In the 1880's there was a trend for newly wealthy families to marry their daughters into the English aristocracy. England's social leader was the Prince of Wales and he enjoyed American women in many different ways. Some of the best English families were running out of money and they turned to American girls and their money.
The second drawing below is a commentary on the pushy mothers who forced their daughters into marriage. Alva Vanderbilt locked her daughter in her room until she agreed to marry the duke that Alva had picked out for her. The bride in the illustration is kneeling on Cupid's coffin.
The second drawing below is a commentary on the pushy mothers who forced their daughters into marriage. Alva Vanderbilt locked her daughter in her room until she agreed to marry the duke that Alva had picked out for her. The bride in the illustration is kneeling on Cupid's coffin.
BEAUTIFUL GIRL IGNORED FOR WEALTHY WOMAN
MOTHER FORCES GIRL TO MARRY FOR TITLE
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by wcascade40
wcascade40
Hello, I am a lifelong resident of Wisconsin. I enjoying reading, cooking and I spend way too much time on my computer. I just discovered Squidoo and... more »
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