Charles Dana Gibson (September 14, 1867 – December 23, 1944) was an American graphic artist, best known for his creation of the Gibson Girl,
an iconic representation of the beautiful and independent American
woman at the turn of the 20th century. His wife, Irene Langhorne, and
her four beautiful sisters, inspired his images. He published his
illustrations in LIFE
magazine and other major national publications for more than 30 years,
becoming editor in 1918 and later owner of the general interest
magazine.
Gibson was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, the son of Josephine Elizabeth (née Lovett) and Charles DeWolf Gibson. He had a sister Josephine Gibson. One of their great-grandfathers was U.S. Senator James DeWolf and a great-great-grandfather was U.S. Senator William Bradford. His sister Josephine inherited Longfield (Bristol, Rhode Island) from their paternal grandmother, Abby DeWolf Gibson.
A talented youth with an early interest in art, Gibson was enrolled by his parents in New York City's Art Students League, where he studied for two years.
Peddling his pen-and-ink sketches, Gibson sold his first work in 1886 to LIFE magazine, founded by John Ames Mitchell and Andrew Miller.
It featured general interest articles, humor, illustrations, and
cartoons. His works appeared weekly in the popular national magazine for
more than 30 years. He quickly built a wider reputation, with his
drawings being featured in all the major New York publications,
including Harper's Weekly, Scribners and Collier's. His illustrated books include the 1898 editions of Anthony Hope's The Prisoner of Zenda and its sequel Rupert of Hentzau. His development of the "Gibson Girl"
from 1890 and her nationwide fame brought Gibson respect and wealth.
His sister Josephine Gibson was said to have been one of his
inspirations for his beautiful modern young woman.
In 1895, he married Irene Langhorne, born in Danville, Virginia. One of her four sisters was Lady Nancy Astor, the first woman to serve as a Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons.
His wife and her elegant Langhorne sisters also inspired his famous
Gibson Girls, who became iconic images in early 20th-century society.
Their dynamic and resourceful father Chiswell Langhorne
had his wealth severely reduced by the Civil War, but by the late 19th
century, he had rebuilt his fortune on tobacco auctioneering and the
railroad industry.
After the death of John Ames Mitchell in 1918, Gibson became editor of LIFE and later took over as owner of the magazine. As the popularity of the Gibson Girl faded after World War I, Gibson took to working in oils for his own pleasure. In 1918, he was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member, and became a full Academician in 1932. Read more . . .
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The
original IT Girl from the Edwardian era - The Gibson Girl - captured
here in a rare film from the 1900s.We added our own storyline. The male
stalking is kept from being too creepy by the sheer buffoonery of the
men. Source Archive.org. Original title the Gibson Goddess.
Subtitles copyright of Glamourdaze. Visit glamour daze here.
Subtitles copyright of Glamourdaze. Visit glamour daze here.
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