“Scrubbin’ Day”


“Scrubbin’ Day” (undated)
by Norman Mills Price (1877-1951)
4 x 6 in., pencil sketch on paper
Coppola Collection

European-trained, Price moved to NY in 1912 and established himself as an illustrator. A stickler for detail, he was almost instantly successful for his well-researched images with authentic costumes and accuracy in all aspects of his portrayals. People generally enjoyed looking at the details of his illustrations. His magazine illustrations were published by American Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Liberty, St. Nicholas, and Women’s Home Companion. At the time of his death, Price was honorary president of the Society of Illustrators in New York.

Price had a strong ink line, so it is nice to see this sketch, with its entire atmosphere filled in, as an example of how he worked out an idea.

I have sent this and a few other Price drawings off to the Canadian line-smith, Gerhard, whom I have commissioned to develop inked versions of the drawings.

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