Charles Allan Gilbert (1873-1929) was an American artist and illustrator. Gilbert studied art in New York City and Paris. He is most famous for his illustration All is Vanity (1892), an optical illusion. Created when Gilbert was only eighteen years old, the drawing depicts what appears to be a large grinning skull. Upon closer examination, it reveals itself to be a young woman gazing at her reflection in the mirror. This work was sold in 1902, when Gilbert sold the piece to LIFE Publishing Co.

Other works include:

• Woman Playing Piano (1901, charcoal and chalk on board)
• Woman with Rose (1910, pastel on canvas)
• Flattery

Erroneously attributed:

• Gossip: And the Devil Was There (George A. Wotherspoon)
• Social Donkey (George Wotherspoon)

Sources

• Sandlot Science

Works

• All is Vanity
• Illustrated Gallery

American artists | 1873 births | 1929 deaths