"The Fat Lady Sings, Saturday Evening Post Cover" Lot no. 3618
By Richard Sargent (1911-1978)
1961
20.00" x 22.00"
Watercolor on Board
Signed Lower Left
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Original cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, Dec. 16, 1961. The Post described, “Put That Old Gang of Mine in the same room with a piano and a pretty girl to play it, and soon The Music Goes ‘Round and ‘Round. But regard the intrusion of an aspiring Isolde just as the harmony reaches a peak of perfection. She lustily contributes so many decibels that even deaf Beethoven winces at the vibrations. Stormy Weather begins to blow. Our over grown Alice Blue Gown obviously enjoys belting out a soprano supplement to Sweet Adeline (molto espressivo), although in a style more Wagnerian than barbershop. On the other hand, the disgruntled quartet clearly wishes she would sing “Show Me the Way to Go Home” or get On a Slow Boat to China. Then they could go back to “Ain’t We Got Fun?” (con brio).”
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ABOUT THE ARTIST
Richard Sargent did many cover paintings for The Saturday Evening Post. His works are characterized by their good humor and insight into human frailties. He also illustrated for Fortune, Woman’s Day, American Magazine, Photoplay, and Collier’s magazine.
Sargent, who was born in Moline, Illinois, received his art education at the Corcoran School of Art and the Philips Memorial Gallery in Washington, D.C. He also worked with Ben Shahn.
His pictures were exhibited in many parts of the United States, including New York City, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, California, as well as abroad. He was a member of the Society of Illustrators in New York, and for many years, lived and painted in Spain.