November 1910

Rose O'Neill painted "November" in oil on canvas at an unknown date. O’Neill was a woman who achieved fame and financial success in the male-dominated world of illustration and cartooning in the early 20th century. This painting diverges from her more well-known commercial work, like the Kewpie characters, revealing O'Neill's engagement with fine art traditions such as Impressionism. What does it mean for a woman, celebrated for her commercially viable art, to also engage in painting landscapes which were a genre closely tied to notions of national identity and romanticism? Notice how the tranquil river scene, with its muted palette and gentle reflections, evokes a sense of melancholy. The solitary boat suggests a quiet contemplation, perhaps mirroring O'Neill's own introspective moments amidst a bustling career. In this way, "November" offers us an intimate glimpse into the personal world of an artist whose public persona was carefully constructed and maintained.