Can They Save Themselves

Large scale, hand-painted cartoon by Eldon Dedini featuring two whales pontificating about the survival of humans.  A strikingly similar cartoon was published in the New Yorker on May 23, 1983.  Given the finished nature and detail of this piece, we believe it was more likely a re-creation or an alternate submission of the actual published cartoon rather than an earlier draft of it.  The reverse side of the piece contains a reproduction of the New Yorker copyright stamp in the artist's own handwriting, along with the date of the alternate piece's publication.  

Acrylic on 17.75" x 30" paper (the image measures approximately 8.75" x 26"). Minor staining along the outer edges of the artwork, and some minor ripple to the paper.  Very good condition.

Dedini's work is extremely rare as most of it was donated to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum in Ohio shortly before his passing in 2006.  This piece comes from the private collection of Eldon Dedini's son.