The Secret Heart

Neysa McMein was one of the great graphic artists of the early to mid 20th century. Her specialty was portraits of pretty girls for the covers of McCall's, Ladies' Home Journal, Saturday Evening Post and Collier's, among others, and for glamorous advertising assignments.

Her social life in the 20s, 30s and 40s was fabulous—you know—with friends like Robert Benchley, Charlie Chaplin, Noel Coward, Dorothy Parker, Bernard Baruch, Bea Lillie, etc etc. In later life, she was a portrait artist, with great people sitting for her.

Noel Coward wrote of her: "Neysa was one of the rare people in the world whose genius for friendship could pierce through all facades, surmount all defenses, and find its way immediately and unerringly to the secret heart."

She also created wonderful nude studies, not pin-ups, but beautiful women with great presence and grace.

Neysa McMein — Nude Study

Neysa McMein — Nude Study

More of her work some other day.