"Trying To Make Baby Smile, Saturday Evening Post Cover"   Lot no. 130

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By Jack Welch (American- 1905-1985)

1949
23.00" x 19.00", Framed 29.00" x 25.00"
Oil on Canvas
Signed Lower Left

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Cover of Saturday Evening Post magazine, February 19, 1949

 

One of artist Jack Welch's favorite family photographs is one he took from behind the baby - his daughter Ruth Marie - while a friend and his wife, along with Mrs. Welch, all made faces and waved balloon in a futile attempt to get the baby to smile. Very much like you see here in this delightful oil on canvas that was featured on the February 19, 1949 cover of the Saturday Evening Post. Like many illustrators of his day, Welch drew for the everyday experiences of his own life for his numerous illustrations. Today, these charming scenes offer a snapshot into a bygone era, one that is as nostalgic as it is timeless.
Born in small town Texas, Welch first learned his trade through the W. L. Evans correspondence course in cartooning, which led him to a short-lived stint at Southern Methodist University illustrating yearbooks. This work launched him as a newspaper artist, and eventually earning a position as an advertising agency sketch man. Some of Welch's best loved works are from this period, doing work for advertisers such as Keds, Jell-O, Pullman, and Traveler's Insurance. Yet, it is his work for the Saturday Evening Post that is considered his best - he created a number of memorable covers for the publication, as well as others including Family Circle and Woman's Day.

The Post described, “So you get out the camera to catch baby’s winning smile; we really ought to have a picture of that, you say. Baby watches with bright interest as someone sets up the camera. The picture’s in focus; everything is ready. Does the baby smile? Every parent and grandparent knows the answer. Baby begins to cry as if he had just been left on somebody’s doorstep. Will baby smile again? Your’re darned right; the minute you put the camera away. One of artist Jack Welch’s favorite family photographs is one he took from behind the baby — his daughter Ruth Marie — while a dentist friend, the dentist’s wife and Mrs. Welch all made faces and waved balloons in a futile attempt to get baby to grin. Very much as you see here.”

 

(The Saturday Evening Post, February 19, 1949, p. 3)

 



Explore related art collections: Family / Children / Humor / Saturday Evening Post Covers / Magazine Covers / Seniors / 1940s / $20,000 - $50,000

See all original artwork by Jack Welch

ABOUT THE ARTIST

 

Jack Welch was a tall Texan from Cleburne. He went through public school in Temple, Texas, took the W. L. Evans correspondence course in cartooning, and did a short turn at Southern Methodist University illustrating yearbooks. This was enough to launch him as a newspaper artist; he worked for papers in Texas, California, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York.

   The next logical step was an advertising agency sketch man; he spent several years doing sketches and comprehensive drawings for advertising layouts. His sense of humor and feeling for freely rendered action made him a natural for drawing children, and he began to do the “finishes” for advertisers such as Keds, Jell-O, Pullman, and Traveler’s Insurance.

   These illustrations, in turn, brought his work to the attention of The Saturday Evening Post for which he created a number of memorable covers, then other magazines, including Family Circle and Woman’s Day.

    His work brought Welch several awards in annual shows at the New York Art Directors Club and for billboard advertising art.