Festivity, Webster Cigars advertisement 1944

Edwin Georgi's "Festivity" advertisement for Webster Cigars captures a lively social scene, likely rendered in gouache or watercolor with its soft color palette and fluid application. You can almost feel Georgi's hand moving across the surface, layering colors, textures, and light to construct this bustling scene. It's interesting how artists can work to commission, and yet we are still so moved and interested in their images. The colors are interesting - mostly blues and creams and pinks. Are they all having a good time, or is it forced fun? I wonder what Georgi was thinking as he made this? Did he find it boring or did he see the appeal in this society event? What would it have been like to be there at that time and in that place? The eye moves across the image. This piece reminds me of the illustrations of Norman Rockwell, but with a touch more sophistication and elegance. It's as if Georgi took the everyday scenes of Rockwell and elevated them to a more glamorous, idealized realm.