Some Pig
Lisa Draper
30” x 42”
Mixed Media
SOLD
Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White
“Ever since the spider had befriended him, he had done his best to live up to his reputation. When Charlotte's web said SOME PIG, Wilbur had tried hard to look like some pig.” ~Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White
History
In 1948, E.B. White published the humorous essay Death of a Pig (which can easily be read online). This tells the story of Mr. White buying a pig (planning to raise and butcher it), only to have it fall ill within the first few weeks of owning the animal. The essay goes on to humorously recount E.B. White suddenly becoming a physician for a being he was previously planning to murder, and how incredibly distraught he was when, in the end, he had to bury the poor thing instead of eating it. The irony of the whole thing being found because “The loss we felt was not the loss of ham but the loss of pig.”
Shortly after this incident, E.B. White began quietly writing Charlotte’s Web. In 1952, he handed the only existing manuscript to his editor, and it was published on October 15 the same year. In 2000, Publisher’s Weekly cited Charlotte’s Web as the best selling children’s paperback of all time.
Artist Statement
I find it appropriate that the day I have sat to note the impact of this book in my life, it is the 67th anniversary of its publishing.
This book has taught me a great many things. I feel the best can be boiled down to a few small points.
1. The love of a child can accomplish much
2. Every life has value
3. Even when we feel insignificant we can serve others in impactful ways
4. Death is a normal part of life that comes to all
5. The legacy of the kind and serving lives far beyond their death