Edmund Greek Davenport (1891-1966), Top of the World, The Saturday Evening Post cover (June 13, 1925)

Edmund Greek Davenport (American, 1891-1966) Top of the World, The Saturday Evening Post cover, June 13, 1925 Oil on canvas 30 x 25 inches (76.2 x 63.5 cm) Signed lower right Property from an Important American Illustration Art Collection. The consignor of this lot will donate partial proceeds up to 20% of the hammer price to the Salvation Army in dedication to Ed Jaster. EXHIBITED: Christie's, New York, "Illustrating America: Norman Rockwell and His Contemporaries," November 30, 2013-January, 2014; M.S. Rau, New Orleans, Louisiana, "America, Illustrated: Six Decades of Saturday Evening Post Covers," November 6, 2015-January 5, 2016. Top of the World is one of three The Saturday Evening Post covers Edmund Greek Davenport created during his career, at a time when gracing the cover of the storied publication even once was considered a crowning honor for any illustrator. The artwork appeared on the June 13, 1925, issue of the magazine, themed to coincide with college graduation season. The work depicts a blonde-haired beauty in a cap and gown. Her expression is determined as she sits upright holding her diploma, balanced on a globe, suggesting the endless possibilities her future now holds. She clutches her newly-earned degree tightly, a hard-fought prize for any individual student and for women of the time more broadly. Between 1900 and 1930, the number of women attending and graduating college in the United States increased dramatically, as did their professional opportunities after graduation. By presenting an image of a graduate with bold red lipstick and a blonde flapper bob haircut, Top of the World celebrates these societal changes and offers a hopeful view of the future the graduates of 1925 would help build. It's everything people love about The Saturday Evening Post covers, blending societal commentary with tremendous artistry to create a work that feels timeless and joyful. HID09710052018 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Condition Report: Unlined canvas. Small 2 inch repair and a small 1 inch repair in the lower right quadrant, with accompanying inpaint. Under UV exam, a thick uneven varnish fluoresces green in the robes. Minor abrasions along the extreme edges. Framed Dimensions 36.5 X 31.5 Inches