The Gibson Girl was probably one of the most influential drawings in America ever. She was a character created by the satiric artist Charles Dana Gibson in the late 1890's. Nothing more than a series of pen and ink drawings, this iconic character weaseled her way into to the lives into many of the Americans who lived during that time periods. Though she was popular in other places as well, the Gibson Girl mainly affected the lives of those Americans who lived in the city.
In this time period, women's places in society was already set in stone. Women were meant to stay at home, maybe have a simple job, but for the most part they were meant to stay prim and proper. The Gibson Girl, however, pushed the boundaries on these kinds of stereotypes. She made women seem strong and independent, and even like they could do what men were doing. Some drawings of her depict her playing sports without even a crinkle in her clothing. She really showed the evolution of women's roles in society.
The phrase, "the woman every girl wants to be and every boy wants to be with," easily summarizes what the Gibson Girl was to the people of the city. She governed women's fashion so much that the Charles Dana Gibson, the male author who considered himself nothing more than a satire artist, was considered a rival to some of the popular fashion designers including Butterwick Dress Patterns. An interesting quote from the World newspaper from that time period was, "As soon as the world saw Gibson's ideal it bowed down in adoration saying: 'Lo' at last the typical American girl.'" O
ne man from this time period was quoted to have said, "You can always tell when a girl is taking the 'Gibson Cure' by the way she fixes her hair." This man was probably also just as obsessed with the Gibson Girl as the woman were. The fictional suitors of this woman were always clean cut men so what did the men in this time period do? They shaved their beards all due to a few drawings. Merchandise for both men and women were made with the images of the Gibson Girl on them including wallpaper china plates, silverware, dresser sets, pillows, whisks, broom holders, shoes, spoons, tiles, and more.
The Gibson Girl also dictated manners and opinions of those who followed her life. She had an air of aristocracy about her. She weaved her way through social layers and showed a new way of thinking for everyone. Popular images of the Gibson Girl show her branching out into new hobbies and talents including the violin or even rough "manly" sports. She was not a woman to be ignored as she charmed the men that happened to cross her path. She was quite the character.
The author Charles Dana Gibson himself was shocked as to how many people followed tried to emulate his drawings in real life. He even created the perfect man to go with the Gibson Girl, the Gibson Man, but he never reached the popularity of the wonderful Gibson Girl. And although so many Americans copied her look and her attitude, they may sometimes forget, she was never given a name.
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