Harvard Celebrates Edward Gorey’s Legacy with Unique Exhibit
A new exhibition at Harvard University’s Houghton Library showcases the unique and macabre artistry of Edward Gorey, celebrating what would have been his 100th birthday. Titled “Edward Gorey: The Gloomy Gallery,” the exhibit features a collection of Gorey’s unpublished works, including a striking illustration titled “The Horror of Having a Birthday.” This piece, depicting disembodied hands presenting a cake topped with candles alongside a menu listing “cold boiled owl,” exemplifies Gorey’s whimsical yet eerie sensibility.
The exhibition opened on September 4, 2023, and is free to the public, marking not only the centenary of Gorey’s birth but also the 75th anniversary of his graduation from Harvard College. Curated by Molly Schwartzburg, the Philip Hofer Curator of Printing and Graphic Arts, the exhibit draws from Houghton Library’s extensive collection dedicated to the artist and spans various phases of his prolific career.
Exploring Gorey’s Artistic Journey
Among the highlights of the exhibit are several recently acquired works, including the aforementioned birthday illustration, which Gorey gifted to his Harvard classmate and roommate, Tony Smith. Smith’s daughter, Barbie Selby, was present at the opening and expressed her appreciation for the way the curators intertwined her father’s art with Gorey’s published works. “It’s been magical,” Selby remarked.
These newly showcased pieces provide insight into Gorey’s formative years at Harvard, illustrating his connections to French literature classes and the experiences of World War II veterans. Schwartzburg commented on how these early works reveal Gorey’s distinctive aesthetic and linguistic flair, suggesting that Harvard was a “profoundly fruitful environment” for him as a young artist.
Gorey, who famously shared living quarters with poet Frank O’Hara, had a less well-known friendship with Smith. Their contrasting backgrounds—Gorey’s artistic eccentricity versus Smith’s upbringing in a wealthy Republican family—created an intriguing dynamic. Both men served in the military during World War II and later developed a friendship, often bonding over shared interests such as beachcombing and thrift shopping.
A Lasting Impact on Literature and Art
Throughout his career, Gorey produced an impressive 116 books, primarily aimed at children, and is estimated to have created cover art for over 500 other authors’ works. His most famous creation, “The Gashlycrumb Tinies: A Very Gorey Alphabet Book,” features darkly humorous tales of children meeting their demise in surreal ways, solidifying his unique place in literary history.
Schwartzburg noted that Gorey’s enduring popularity stems from the timelessness of his work. By placing his narratives in a slightly altered version of the past, he has managed to create art that remains relevant. The exhibition not only showcases his quirky obsessions—like balancing bicycles and Victorian attire—but also includes original materials from the Poets’ Theatre, an organization Gorey co-founded shortly after graduating.
“Edward Gorey: The Gloomy Gallery” will be on display in the Edison and Newman Room at Houghton Library until January 12, 2024. As Schwartzburg aptly stated, “If you feel like you want to get gloomy, or if you’re feeling gloomy and you need a little lift, this is the place.” This exhibit serves as a fitting tribute to Edward Gorey, inviting both longtime fans and new audiences to explore the darkly whimsical world he created.
