Barbara Shermund Obituary-Death News; The Trailblazing Cartoon Art Of Barbara Sherman CBS Sunday Morning
Barbara Shermund (1899–1978) was a pioneering American cartoonist whose bold, satirical illustrations brought the complexities of modern womanhood to the forefront of 20th-century visual culture.
As one of the first women to contribute to The New Yorker beginning in 1925, the magazine’s inaugural year—Shermund became a defining voice in the golden age of American magazine cartooning.
Her cartoons often depicted women who smoked, drank, and spoke their minds about sex, marriage, and society subjects rarely addressed in mainstream media at the time. These characters, portrayed with sharp wit and expressive linework, embodied the spirit of first-wave feminism and the flapper era. Shermund’s style was characterized by loose, expressive brushwork and a keen eye for the nuances of social life.
In addition to her work in The New Yorker, Shermund contributed to Esquire, Life, Collier’s, and Judge. She also created the syndicated cartoon panel “Shermund’s Sallies” and produced illustrations for various advertisements. In 1950, she was among the first three women inducted into the National Cartoonists Society, breaking significant gender barriers in the field .
Shermund’s legacy is being celebrated through the exhibition “Tell Me a Story Where the Bad Girl Wins: The Life and Art of Barbara Shermund,” which opened at the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, on February 15, 2025. The exhibition features over 75 original works, including cartoons, cover illustrations, and personal artifacts, offering a comprehensive look at her life and career .
Shermund’s work remains a testament to the power of humor and art in challenging societal norms and giving voice to women’s experiences in a rapidly changing world.
