A Childhood Steeped in Dreams

Born in 1874, Cecelia O'Neill grew up surrounded by the sprawling plains of Nebraska. But her imagination soared far beyond the horizon. Encouraged by a bookish father and a musically inclined mother, Rose devoured stories and filled her world with fantastical creatures. Unlike other girls who dreamt of debutante balls, Rose dreamt of becoming a famous illustrator. She first achieved artistic success at the age of thirteen when she won a drawing prize from the Omaha World-Herald. The editors were so convinced O'Neill copied the work from another source that they required her to come to the newspaper office and draw illustrations in their presence.

 

Ladies Home Journal Cover By Rose O’Neill

New York City and the Fight for Recognition

At the tender age of 15, Rose set off for the bustling metropolis of New York City. Armed with a head full of ideas and a portfolio bursting with quirky sketches, she faced a world where female illustrators were a rarity. While in New York Rose lived in a convent, O'Neill recalled the nuns would accompany her to meet with newspaper and magazine editors. Her work was soon published in the pages of Truth, Life, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and other magazines. A comic strip O'Neill wrote titled "The Old Subscriber Calls" was printed in the September 19, 1896, issue of Truth, which was remarkable in that it was the first published comic strip created by a woman.

Christmas Illustration for Puck’s Magazine By Rose O’Neill

Her cartoons became so popular that she was asked to join the staff of Puck, where she was the only woman working from 1897 to 1903. But Rose wasn't one to back down. Her talent spoke for itself, and soon her illustrations graced the pages of popular magazines like Puck and Woman's Home Companion. Her work stood out – a refreshing blend of humor, social commentary, and a touch of the fantastical.

The Old Subscriber Calls Comic by Rose O’Neill

But 1909 was the year that changed everything. Inspired by a playful dream, Rose sketched a chubby, bald cupid with a mischievous grin and a mischievous topknot. This was the birth of the Kewpie – a name derived from Cupid, the Roman god of love. These impish little cherubs, with their heart-shaped mouths and mischievous expressions, resonated with the public like a pop song in a silent film. Soon, Kewpie dolls, postcards, comics, and even Kewpie furniture flooded the market.

 

Kewpies Advertisement for Jello By Rose O’Neill

The Kewpies made their first appearance in the December 1909 issue of Ladies’ Home Journal and became an instant sensation amongst readers of all ages. While their style was seen in some of O’Neill’s earlier characters, the creation of “Kewpieville” allowed her to write comics that focused on moral values and kindness. The comics were continuously published in Ladies’ Home Journal, Woman’s Home Companion, and Good Housekeeping well into the 1930s. The Kewpie Doll was soon created in 1913, resulting in a wave of toys, advertisements, and household goods portraying the characters.

Kewpies at the Door with Flowers by Rose O’Neill

The Kewpies also served as a vehicle from which she could comment on social issues of import such as women’s rights, discrimination, and wealth inequality. Through her art and public service, O’Neill championed the down-trodden—a condition she was all too familiar with, having suffered poverty as a child.

• Subtle Messaging with a Smile: The Kewpies, with their innocent charm, were a perfect vehicle for Rose's message. She created postcards and illustrations featuring the Kewpies in situations related to women's suffrage. Imagine a scene with Kewpies holding signs that say "Votes for Women" or proudly marching in a suffrage parade.

• Reaching a Wider Audience: By using these cheerful characters, Rose was able to reach a broader audience, including children and families, who might not have otherwise been exposed to the suffrage movement. This subtle approach helped to normalize the idea of women's suffrage and plant the seed for change.

• A Voice Beyond the Canvas: Rose wasn't just creating art; she was actively involved in the movement. She participated in suffrage parades and even designed posters for the cause. Her artistic talent and celebrity status helped raise awareness and garner support for women's right to vote.

 

Challenges and Impact

While Rose's strategy might seem unconventional, it was effective. The playful Kewpies made the message of suffrage more palatable to a wider audience, particularly those who might have been resistant to more strident tactics. However, it wasn't without its challenges. Some suffragists felt her approach was too lighthearted for a serious issue. Despite these criticisms, Rose O'Neill's unique contribution to the suffrage movement stands out. She used her creativity and platform to advocate for a cause she deeply believed in, proving that even the most whimsical art can be a powerful tool for social change.

Kewpies Advertisement for Campbells Soup By Rose O’Neill

More Than Just a Pretty Face: The Artist Behind the Craze

But Rose O'Neill was more than just a businesswoman capitalizing on a fad. She was a suffragist, using her wildly popular Kewpie cartoons to subtly promote women's rights. Imagine a world where adorable cherubs champion equal voting rights – that was the magic of Rose's work. She was also a prolific writer, penning novels and poetry that explored themes of feminism, social justice, and the complexities of human relationships. Her writing was bold, often defying the conventions of the time, just like her art.

A Kewpie Eating Ice Cream with Planets By Rose O’Neill

A Legacy That Endures

Rose O'Neill's influence transcended her time. She paved the way for future generations of female cartoonists and artists, proving that talent and imagination could conquer any barrier. And while the Kewpie craze may have calmed, these delightful little characters remain a nostalgic reminder of a time when a rebellious artist with a big imagination captured the world's heart.

 

Kewpies Pulling Sled with Christmas Presents By Rose O’Neill

O’Neill was selected as a member of the prestigious Société des Beaux Arts in Paris in 1906. She was the first woman elected as a Fellow of the New York Society of Illustrators and inducted into the Illustrators Hall of Fame in New York City in 1999. She was also inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019. And last year, at the San Diego Comic Con, she was inducted into the Eisner Awards Hall of Fame as a Comic Pioneer.

Both the Smithsonian Institution and the New York Art Resource Consortium maintain digital online archives of O’Neill’s work. And you can find a large collection of her original work at the Huntington Library in California.

A Kewpie With Christmas Presents By Rose O’Neill

 

 

A Kewpie Stitching By Rose O’Neill

O’Neill’s Legacy

Rose O’Neill wasn’t just a pioneer in the field of comics. Known to the National Women’s Suffrage Association in New York City as a “Suffrage Artist,” she used her creativity to advance the cause of women’s rights. She marched as a suffragist and illustrated posters, post cards and political cartoons for the cause. She also championed dress reform, turning social mores on their head by brazenly going uncorseted under the loose caftans she wore in her studios!

 

Suffragette Kewpie For Voters Rights by Rose O’Neill

She was the very definition of the self-taught bohemian artist. She rose through a male-dominated field to become a top illustrator and built a merchandising empire from her work thanks to the Kewpies. She redefined what it meant to be a 19th century female artist, showing other young women through her life’s work what could be achieved not just creatively, but commercially. She seems to have been a beautiful if melancholy soul. Ambitious, talented and, for a time, one of the wealthiest women in the world, her autobiography, published years after her death, revealed her personal philosophy.

Rose O’Neill’s Sands of Time, c. 1896-1901, pen and ink with watercolor

Beyond the Surface: Uncovering the Hidden Depths

Rose O'Neill's story is more than just Kewpie dolls and cartoons. It's a testament to the power of in herself and using her creativity to make a difference. While her whimsical illustrations brought joy to millions, her deeper artistic expressions and advocacy for women's rights offer a glimpse into a complex and fascinating individual.

So, the next time you see a cute, chubby cherub, remember Rose O'Neill, the whirlwind who wasn't afraid to challenge the status quo and leave behind a legacy as colorful and captivating as the Kewpies themselves.

A Kewpie Riding a Blue Bird By Rose O’Neill