Sketch

Object number2013.101.33

Artist Mervin Allen Corning (1926 - 2006)

Date1996

MediumTracing paper; pencil

Credit LineGift of Arthur J. Rooney, Jr.

DescriptionRectangular piece of tracing paper with a pencil sketch of five right-facing football players in various poses and the outline of a football-shaped trophy and large football player on the right side. Lettering across the bottom has championship information with two lines of scores from eight games. Names and stats above each player.Dimensions11.25 x 13.437 in. (28.6 x 34.1 cm)
SignedArtist's stamp on the front reads "PENCIL SKETCH BY / MERV CORNING / (signature) M Corning".
InscriptionsLettering across the bottom reads: "UNIVERSITY of PITTSBURGH NATIONAL" with "PITT 31 - NOTRE DAME 10 PITT 42-GEORGIA TECH 14 PITT 21-TEMPLE 7 PITT 44-DUKE 31 / PITT 27-LOUISVILLE 6 PITT 36-MIAMI FL 19 PITT 45-NAVY 0 PITT 23-SYRACUSE 13" below.

Notes above players read from left to right:
"B / HOLLOWAY DT / #70 6'6" 240"
"W / CAVANAUGH QB / #12 6-2 - 209"
"W / JURY D.B / #31 - 6' 180"
"W / TOM BRZOZA O.G. / #67 6'3 - 234"
"B / GORDON JONES SE / #24 6'1 - 190"

At top toward right corner: "15 working days - C... K..."
Historical NotesMerv Corning drew a picture of a school bus for his mother after his first day of school, inaugurating a long, successful art career. He joined the merchant marines at age 17, then worked as an illustrator and later as an art director for an advertising agency. Some of his early subjects and work were focused on aviation and automobiles. The NFL first hired him in 1966-1967, the relationship would last more than 30 years, with Merv contracted as the League's official Super Bowl artist in 1977. He liked to capture the game as it could be seen up close - with realism and some subtle drama.

Related institution University of Pittsburgh

Related institution Pittsburgh Panthers

Previous owner Arthur Joseph Rooney Jr.

Related institution University of Notre Dame

Related institution Georgia Institute of Technology

Related institution Temple University

Related institution Duke University

Related institution University of Louisville

Related institution University of Miami

Related institution United States Naval Academy

Related institution Syracuse University

Related person Matt Cavanaugh