An athlete and outdoorsman, artist Joseph Francis Kernan was known as the “poor man’s Norman Rockwell.” But Kernan was a superb illustrator in his own right.
“Model Three Masted Ship”
"Model Three Masted Ship"
from September 17, 1927
During the 1920s and ’30s, J.F. Kernan (1878-1958) illustrated nearly 30 Post covers. Some, such as this beautiful 1927 cover, depicted the seaside or old sailors. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, Joseph Francis Kernan attended the Eric Pape School of Art in Boston and later taught at the school before embarking on his art career.
“Hunter and Spaniel”
"Hunter and Spaniel"
from November 3, 1928
His art featured, as he described it, “the human side of outdoor sports, hunting, fishing, and dogs.”
His work also appeared on covers of major magazines of the time, including The Country Gentleman, Outdoor Life, and Collier’s Liberty. His art varied from the picturesque to wry comic situations.
“Baseball Batter”
"Baseball Batter"
from May 28, 1932
Baseball was not a mere spectator sport for Kernan. He helped finance his art education for a period of time as a professional baseball player.
“ 1926 Fisk Tire Ad”
"Fisk Tire Ad" by J.F. Kernan
from 1926
Like most illustrators of this era, Kernan did artwork for ads. Also with a baseball theme is this ad from 1926 for Fisk Tires, although, instead of a pro batter, we have a couple of boys about to get in trouble for watching a game through a peephole instead of paying admission—not an uncommon theme for the 1920s.
“Private Letter”
"Private Letter"
from December 4, 1920
Another theme illustrators enjoyed was the nosy post office worker (or neighbor or party-line sharer). This one is from 1920.
"Sorting the Mail"
by Norman Rockwell
from February 18, 1922
Two years later Norman Rockwell did this Post cover of a nosy postal clerk.
“Women Must Give Their Ages”
"Women Must Give Their Ages"
from November 4 1922
The Rockwell resemblance appears in Kernan’s Country Gentleman covers. CG was a sister publication to the Post for many years.
In this cover it is 1922, and one supposes there must be a downside to women getting the vote.
“Tying on a Fly”
"Tying on a Fly"
from May 25, 1929
From humor back to his outdoorsman passions, one of Kernan’s finest works is this fisherman tying a fly from 1929. The color palette is subtle but stunning, and the rippling water looks good enough to jump into.
Reprints of The Saturday Evening Post covers are available at Art.com.
If you’re interested in seeing more of Kernan’s work, or cover art from another Post artist, contact d.denny@satevepost.org or leave a comment below.
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6 Comments
Brings back wonderful memories. So glad I’m subscribing again. Fine Magazine !!!
What a fine artist. Thanks for introducing me to him. His colors weren’t very vivid but his imagination was!
Excellent covers. Mr. Kernan was an excellent artist. While I enjoyed all the covers shown, my favorite was the ad for Fisk Tires. That was very clever, having the ad just a part of a larger “story”. That ad would have made an excellent Post cover, he could have replaced the Fisk tire ad with one for the Saturday Evening Post.
I love all of Kernan’s covers, AND the Fisk Tire ad. The lady on the Country Gentleman cover looks like she’s getting close to possibly hitting the polling guy with her purse. On Tying on a Fly I love the way the water is “spilling out” to the bottom of the cover.
I have aquired an original painting “Merry Christmas” By JF Kernan,showing a baby & a puppy licking the baby’s face. It is signed both on the front of the painting and on the back of the painting. For insurance purposes any idea what it is worth. Any help would be appreciated. I do not belong to any (pay for) artist reference services. I have no intention of selling the painting. Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Kanel
Tlclass@vermontel.net
While we enjoy learning and teaching about Post artists, we are not appraisers. You could check with an art gallery in your area or check on Art.com.