Friday Spill: J.J. Sempe, 1932 -2022

Saddened to learn of the passing of the great J.J. Sempe, who began contributing drawings and covers (mostly covers) to The New Yorker in 1978. Here’s a link to his New York Times obit. Mr. Sempe’s work was introduced to The New Yorker’s then art editor Lee Lorenz via Edward Koren.

Mr. Sempe’s New Yorker covers often featured a small figure in a large world, although that was not an exclusive characteristic. As the Times obit notes, there was a hint of Thurber influence in his line — a gentle flow (and let’s not forget that depiction of a small person dealing with the larger world). As with all the greatest artists in The New Yorker‘s stable, his drawings and covers were instantly recognizable.