That Ain't Cleopatra

Neysa McMein created a shipload of portrait covers for McCall's, and this is a nice one, even though y'know darn well that ain't Cleopatra, nowhere near the right ethnicity, just one of McMein's socialite friends, posing for a lark.

Neysa McMein — McCall's — January, 1926

Worth Preserving

Much of the old stuff is worth preserving even when it's been damaged, as is this water-soaked cover, and is still worth studying for its qualities. Plus this cover shows how unpredictable April weather is, then and now.

Neysa McMein — McCall's — April 1929

The Secret Heart

Neysa McMein was one of the great graphic artists of the early to mid 20th century. Her specialty was portraits of pretty girls for the covers of McCall's, Ladies' Home Journal, Saturday Evening Post and Collier's, among others, and for glamorous advertising assignments.

Her social life in the 20s, 30s and 40s was fabulous—you know—with friends like Robert Benchley, Charlie Chaplin, Noel Coward, Dorothy Parker, Bernard Baruch, Bea Lillie, etc etc. In later life, she was a portrait artist, with great people sitting for her.

Noel Coward wrote of her: "Neysa was one of the rare people in the world whose genius for friendship could pierce through all facades, surmount all defenses, and find its way immediately and unerringly to the secret heart."

She also created wonderful nude studies, not pin-ups, but beautiful women with great presence and grace.

Neysa McMein — Nude Study

Neysa McMein — Nude Study

More of her work some other day.