THE TALK OF THE TOWN: REA IRVIN OF THE NEW YORKER November 19, 1998 - February 14, 1999 Overview The Talk of the Town: Rea Irvin of The New Yorker was organized by the Museum of the City of New York and featured more than 80 original illustrations from their collection, including covers, drawings, and cartoons. Rea Irvin (1881-1972), The New Yorker's first art editor, created the witty, urbane style that continues to influence the publication, and that has come to epitomize New York City life in the second quarter of the twentieth century. Irvin created the legendary dandy, Eustace Tilley, for The New Yorker's inaugural issue; to this day, the top-hatted cosmopolite appears on every anniversary cover. Irvin also designed the sharp and casually elegant alphabet still used for The New Yorker's headings. His use of "squiggly" column rules provided a sharp delineation between commentary and illustrations, and contributed to the magazine's uncluttered layout. Art and literary critics have remarked that Rea Irvin's drawings verged on the revolutionary, inspiring generations of imitators. "The invaluable Irvin, artist, ex-actor, wit, and sophisticate about town and country, did more to develop the style and excellence of The New Yorker's drawings and covers than anyone else, and was the main and shining reason that the magazine's comic art in the first two years was far superior to its humorous prose," according to the legendary New Yorker writer James Thurber. Irvin's tightly composed works convey anecdotes and strong emotions with broad strokes and saturated colors. Iconic images include Easter Parade (1937), with its depiction of magically animated costumes providing a humorous commentary on the fashions of the times. The exhibition introduces visitors to the broad range of Irvin's talents, which live on as a legacy of one of the nation's most prominent publications. The Talk of the Town was organized by Leslie Nolan, former curator of prints and photographs for the Museum of the City of New York. The Wolfsonian-FIU received support for this exhibition from the State of Florida, State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Arts Council, Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Council, Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council, City of Miami Beach, The Chase Manhattan Foundation, American Express Company, Continental Airlines, and the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation. FEATURED OBJECT: Published cover, The New Yorker, January 2, 1932 Gouache, ink on paper Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Rea Irvin 67.100.110 Museum of the City of New York Back to Past Exhibitions Main