Happy 2019! It is going to be a great year for art! Are you making any resolutions? I have a list of life goals (it’s a Bucket List, but don’t you hate that term?!) that I am just going to continue to work on. And of course, I’m excited to discover more beautiful, fun, and interesting art, so I hope artists everywhere are resolving to keep creating!
We simply cannot talk New Year’s and art without mentioning J.C. Leyendecker, the father of many babies- New Year’s babies, that is. He was clearly inspired by that chubby, clothing-optional, little baby that represents the birth of each new year because he illustrated him (her?) over and over! Here are just a few of his drawings that showed up on The Saturday Evening Post covers:
The baby is so cute and fun and full of hope that it’s hard not to love him. By the end of the year, the curly-haired cutie has aged into Father Time, who is always portrayed so sadly!
Beautiful, but sad, I think. |
Don’t even get me started on Father Time Overcome by Love, Hope, and Beauty by Simon Vouet. I’m all for love, hope, and beauty, but not when they’re ganging up on a dear, old gentleman.
There’s girl power, and there’s bullying. |
What I’d like to see is Father Time portrayed in celebration of all he’s seen and experienced, not as sad and weak and mopey! (This is unrelated, but did I mention I turn 40 this year?) Here’s to the adventures the New Year’s baby promises, and the full life Father Time had! Cheers!
That Father Time one makes me sad … he obviously needs to work on his life list! : )
Agreed! I'm glad he didn't take over for Dick Clark!