The Original Mad Man

From the 1940s through the 1960s, Conner's captivating advertising and editorial illustrations graced the pages of major magazines, including Cosmopolitan, Redbook, and The Saturday Evening Post, and helped shape the image of postwar America. One of an influential group of commercial artists at the heart of Manhattan's thriving advertising and publishing scene, Conner's hand-painted illustrations capture the style and spirit of a pivotal era in American history. The exhibition presents Conner's published work alongside reference photos and preliminary designs, a selection of fictional stories accompanied by illustrations from Conner and his contemporaries, advertising tearsheets for major clients such as Ford, United Airlines, and AT&T, correspondence letters with editors and art directors, and more. With seven distinct sections, from the “World of NY Publishing” to “Advertising” and “Anxieties,” the exhibition offers a unique window on the dynamic world of the illustrators who created the look of a generation while grappling with fundamental social issues of the time.

The Original Mad Man: Illustrations by Mac Connor will run from September 10 through February 1, 2015.