Peter Arno, chronicler and satirist

Peter Arno. Peter Arno (1979) Introduction by Charles Saxon. Peter Arno documented the upper middle and upper classes of New York, city and State, in several hundred drawings, 248 of which are reprinted in this book, most of which were drawn for The New Yorker. He originated and refined several of the stereotypes that we still instantly recognise as symbols of excessive money and power, and of a lifestyle that has changed only in its outward show. He was himself born into this class; this insider status lends his observations the look of authenticity.
     I’ve always liked Arno’s drawings. Perusing this book for the 3rd or 5th time, I admired again the accuracy and subtlety of his line. He never uses two lines where one will do. Half a dozen lines combind into a profile show us a complete character, as in an irate 60-something man glaring at the grinning face of some TV huckster. The back cover shows a superbly elegant young man complimenting his hostess: “You do give such perfect parties, Alice. Is there anyone here you’d like to meet?”
     This time, I noticed more satiric bite and rage than I recalled from previous readings. One cartoon shows a lion tamer raising his whip against a lion lying cowering on its back. An old lion says, “If only I were twenty years younger and had my teeth!” A comment on animal rights? Yes, and an allegory on human rights, too.
     Well worth getting your hands on if you can find a copy. ****