BACON, Peggy

American (1895 – 1987)

Dance at the League, 1919

Flint 25. Drypoint on wove paper. Signed, titled, and inscribed “For Sandy,” in pencil. Stamped on verso: “OCT 15 1931 The Downtown Gallery OCT 1-1935.”

6 ⅞ x 9 ⅞ inches  |  17.5 x 25.1 cm

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Peggy Bacon’s Dance at the League captures the lively spirit of the Art Students League, where she studied from 1915-1920. Known for her sharp wit and keen eye for caricature, Bacon often depicted the artistic bohemia of New York with humor and satire. The scene likely references the Bad News Ball, a playful, irreverent event held at the League, named after Bad News, a satirical publication Bacon and her artist friends created. This dance was a gathering of students and instructors, often featuring elaborate costumes. Bacon’s characteristic use of elongated limbs, exaggerated gestures, and expressive movement adds to the humor and dynamism of the composition.

Bacon includes caricatures of notable figures in the art world:

• Anne Rector – A painter and illustrator associated with the League.
• Lloyd Goodrich – A respected art historian and critic, later director of the Whitney Museum.
• Edmund Duffy – A Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist.