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Morticia and Pugsley Addams

1938–68
Not on view
This rapidly executed charcoal drawing describes two central characters from the delightfully ghoulish Addams family, a group that the artist invented in a cartoon in 1938. They then regularly appeared regularly in Addams New Yorker cartoons but only received names in 1964 when the concept inspired a television series. Addam's unforgettable characterizations and gothic sense of humor have had a considerable influence upon American popular culture.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Morticia and Pugsley Addams
  • Artist: Charles Addams (American, Westfield, New Jersey 1912–1988 New York)
  • Date: 1938–68
  • Medium: Charcoal
  • Dimensions: 23 1/16 × 17 13/16 in. (58.5 × 45.3 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Phyllis Ames, 2018
  • Object Number: 2021.158.4
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

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"Oh, it's you! For a moment you gave me quite a start": reproduction of a "The New Yorker" cartoon drawing, published November 25, 1939
After Charles Addams (American, Westfield, New Jersey 1912–1988 New York)
ca. 1950
Christmas Carolers Receive a Nasty Surprise: reproduction of a "The New Yorker" cartoon drawing, published December 21, 1946
After Charles Addams (American, Westfield, New Jersey 1912–1988 New York)
ca. 1950
"May I borrow a cup of cyanide?": reproduction of a "The New Yorker" cartoon drawing, published February 8, 1941
After Charles Addams (American, Westfield, New Jersey 1912–1988 New York)
ca. 1950
"This little piggy went to market, This little piggy stayed home, This little piggy had roast beef, This little piggy had none, This little piggy ran wee wee wee all the way home, This little piggy...": reproduction of a "The New Yorker" cartoon drawing, published July 21, 1945
After Charles Addams (American, Westfield, New Jersey 1912–1988 New York)
ca. 1950
"Are you unhappy darling?"–"Oh, yes, yes! Completely": reproduction of a "The New Yorker" cartoon drawing, published November 21, 1942
After Charles Addams (American, Westfield, New Jersey 1912–1988 New York)
ca. 1950

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