The New Yorker Cover - Aug 29, 2016

Titled "Waves," the illustration depicts a vast seascape under a soft, pastel-colored sky of lavender and pink. A series of rolling waves, painted in rich blues and greens, approaches the shore. On a sandy path in the foreground, a tiny, determined-looking brass band is seen playing their instruments, their music directed out towards the immense and indifferent ocean. The artist's signature, "Sempé," is nestled in the grassy dune on the lower right.

Artistic Insight

This cover is a quintessential work by Jean-Jacques Sempé, beautifully showcasing his recurring themes and delicate style. Sempé was a master of using scale to explore the relationship between humanity and the world, often placing his small, determined figures in vast, overwhelming landscapes.

The artwork is imbued with a signature blend of whimsy and melancholy. There is a gentle, humorous absurdity to the image of this small band playing with all their might for an audience of ocean waves. Yet, it's also deeply poignant. The scene can be interpreted as a metaphor for the artistic endeavor itself—the human impulse to create beauty, order, and sound in the face of nature's powerful, chaotic, and utterly indifferent grandeur. It speaks to the courage and perhaps the folly of making art for art's sake. Sempé’s soft watercolor washes and gentle lines perfectly capture this mood of quiet, hopeful persistence against a beautiful, unknowable vastness.

Our ready-to-hang premium wooden frames, crafted from responsibly sourced oak or ash, feature unique wood grains for added character, making them ideal for those seeking to showcase world-class quality artwork:

• Ready-to-hang: Includes hanging kit, ready to hang directly on the wall.
• Frame Material: Responsibly sourced oak and ash wood.
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• Frame Measurements: 20mm (0.79") thick and wide, wider than the classic 14mm (0.55") frame.
• Paper Weight: 200 gsm (80 lb), thickness: 0.22 mm (8.7 mils), durable and long-lasting.
• Paper Finishing: Matte, smooth, uncoated finish.
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