Frapped Football

Dunn studied under the famous American illustrator Howard Pyle, founder of the revolutionary Brandywine School whose students also included N.C. Wyeth. After training with Pyle, Dunn started his own studio and became a prominent illustrator for periodicals and books. This work was created for one of George Fitch’s popular Siwash College stories in the Saturday Evening Post, which was based on his memories of attending Knox College in the 1890s. The Saturday Evening Post was one of the most popular illustrated magazines in the early 20th century and reflects the growing interest of the American middle class in having its social experience and pastimes chronicled through the mass media. Dunn’s illustration was created at a time when football was a newly-forming sport resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities. His painting captures this early violent history of football in a darkly-humorous fashion by depicting players dogpiling in ripped, bloody uniforms. Dunn’s graphic treatment of the scene reflects Pyle’s advocacy of a bold and distinctly American realist style of illustration.

Eric Dunevant