Winsor McCay

McKay, Zenas Winsor
Silas

American, 1869(?) - 1934

Explore selected works

This is a drawing of a large crowd listening to a figure labeled "SLANDER" who is shouting from a podium-like structure. The drawing depicts a figure draped in a cloak with the words "SLANDER" written prominently on its base, shouting at a densely packed crowd of faces. The shouted words "THEY SAY" are illustrated in large letters, stretching across the image, with the echo "YAS EH" appearing in reverse above. An eerie face labeled "ECHO" is depicted on a distant mountain-like rise on the right side of the drawing. The mass of people appears quite uniform, with expressions suggesting concern, attention, or alarm. The use of stark black and white contrast, along with detailed line work, emphasizes the ominous theme and message of the drawing.
Winsor McCay, Two Wicked Words--"They Say", 1932, pen and black ink and brush and black ink over graphite, with blue colored pencil and pasted overlay, on paperboard, Gift of the Moniz Family, 2008.128.3

Two Wicked Words--"They Say"

Winsor McCay · 1932 · pen and black ink and brush and black ink over graphite, with blue colored pencil and pasted overlay, on paperboard ·  Accession ID  2008.128.3

This is a drawing of various scenes featuring light and shadow. The top left panel shows a lighthouse with radiating light lines. To the right, there is a large sphere resembling the Earth with radiating light lines in the background. The right-most section depicts the facade of a classical building, with light casting shadows. The lower strip of panels shows a figure walking towards a radiant spot, a person reading under a lamp, a room with a bed illuminated by a light source, and a figure in a room with light coming through barred openings. The composition uses radiating lines to depict light and shade, connecting the scenes.
Winsor McCay, The Lamps of God, 1922, pen and black ink over graphite on paperboard, Gift of the Moniz Family, 2008.128.4

The Lamps of God

Winsor McCay · 1922 · pen and black ink over graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  2008.128.4

There is a drawing of a comic strip called "Dream of the Rarebit Fiend." It shows a character in a striped pajama suit having a surreal dream. The panels show the character leaving Earth, observing it from a distance, encountering Earth's cities, and then waking up from the dream. The art style includes clear line work and cross-hatching for shading and texture. The backgrounds range from cosmic scenes to detailed cities. The text in the panels consists of dialogues and thoughts of the character, describing his observations and feelings, with a humorous ending about his dietary habits. The style is reminiscent of Winsor McCay.
Winsor McCay, Dream of the Rarebit Fiend: Here Comes Washington, 1908, pen and black ink and brush and black ink over graphite, with printed overlay, on paperboard, Gift of the Moniz Family, 2008.128.2

Dream of the Rarebit Fiend: Here Comes Washington

Winsor McCay · 1908 · pen and black ink and brush and black ink over graphite, with printed overlay, on paperboard ·  Accession ID  2008.128.2

This is a drawing of a comic strip titled "Little Nemo in Slumberland." The comic depicts an arctic adventure with scenes of characters navigating through a snowy and icy landscape. The panels show icy staircases, frozen structures, and characters interacting with the environment. The artwork features fantastical elements such as spiral ice-like staircases and large arched ceilings covered in icicles. The black ink detailing emphasizes the contrast between the icy surroundings and the characters. Text likely accompanies the images in the panels to narrate the story.
Winsor McCay, Little Nemo in Slumberland: Climbing the Great North Pole, 1907, pen and black ink and brush and black ink over graphite on paperboard, Richard S. Zeisler Fund, 2009.28.2

Little Nemo in Slumberland: Climbing the Great North Pole

Winsor McCay · 1907 · pen and black ink and brush and black ink over graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  2009.28.2

This is a drawing of a comic strip titled "Dream of the Rarebit Fiend." The image includes a sequence of panels depicting a humorous situation involving a vintage automobile. Each panel contains detailed ink illustrations with text in speech bubbles. The story shows a series of misadventures with the car causing chaos. The style is typical of early 20th-century newspaper comics, with clear lines and shading. The comic uses exaggerated motion and expressions for humor, and it ends with a character waking up, indicating it was a dream.
Winsor McCay, Dream of the Rarebit Fiend: Bucking Automobile, 1907, pen and black ink and brush and black ink over graphite, with printed overlay, on paperboard, Gift of the Moniz Family, 2008.128.1

Dream of the Rarebit Fiend: Bucking Automobile

Winsor McCay · 1907 · pen and black ink and brush and black ink over graphite, with printed overlay, on paperboard ·  Accession ID  2008.128.1

The drawing depicts a whimsical journey to a dream realm, illustrated in a series of scenes. The narrative unfolds in eight panels, showing different stages of the adventure from preparation and launch to the characters' travel through the skies. Characters interact with a large cannon, preparing for launch. They then board a star-patterned sphere and drift through the sky, surrounded by stars and moons. Dialogue in speech bubbles adds a playful tone as characters express excitement and curiosity. The final panel shows the main character waking up in bed, revealing that the journey was a dream.
Winsor McCay, Little Nemo in Slumberland: "I don't like this, one little tiny bit, not one tiny weenie bit", 1906, pen and black ink and brush and black ink over graphite on two joined sheets of paperboard, Richard S. Zeisler Fund, 2009.28.1

Little Nemo in Slumberland: "I don't like this, one little tiny bit, not one tiny weenie bit"

Winsor McCay · 1906 · pen and black ink and brush and black ink over graphite on two joined sheets of paperboard ·  Accession ID  2009.28.1

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Number 9: Midsummer Day Dreams

Winsor McCay, Eric Fromm · 1968 · photomechanical reporduction in black on yellow wove paper ·  Accession ID  2014.126.97.9