Among the best picnics, adult or otherwise, A Picnic in the Woods sets an example of optimistic picnic fun.  It begins with the usual refrain: “It’s a beautiful day for a picnic!” as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Mickey’s nephews Ferdy and Morty cram into the blue convertible for a day in the country. Soon, […] read more

Donald Duck’s beach picnic makes a joke of expectations. Intending a pleasant day at the beach, Donald is upset and bedeviled with turmoil. Especially the ants, dressed in war paint like “Native Americans,” steal Donald’s picnic. The idea is meant to be comic. Ants at a picnic are always fun, but in this instance, masquerading […] read more

Linhare’s picnickers, always women, are always naked. I’m not sure about the bee on the picnic cloth. See Judith Linares. Picnic Rock (2007). Gouache read more

Woolf’s picnic on the summit of Monte Rosa, a fictional place in South America, is the high point (pun intended) of The Voyage Out (1915). Journeying on donkeys walking in a single file, the narrator creates the image of “a jointed caterpillar, tufted with the white parasols of the ladies, and the Panama hats of […] read more

Five couples picnicking on the grass are upset by a swarm of bees. Their table is in disarray as people run helter-skelter; hats fly, tempers flare, and a dog barks. A man pours water on a fainting woman that misses her mouth but not her breasts. Round up the usual suspects! See George Cruikshank. Pic Nic […] read more

The humor of Smith’s picnic fiasco “Slicing the Wasps” is obvious. The legend reads: “Suitable for both sexes, young and old. Fascinating, amusing, skillful exciting, and with that element of danger.” It’s also an allusion to John Leech’s Punch cartoon “The Awful Appearance of Wasps” posted elsewhere on PicnicWit. Featured Image: A.T. Smith. “A New […] read more

The Picnic, a seven-minute Mickey Mouse packs as many picnic conventions as possible: a motorcar drive to the country, a stream, shady tree, a wicker basket, a gingham cloth jammed with a gourmand feast of sandwiches, Swiss cheese, mustard, pickles, olives, honey, cookies, cake with icing, sugar cubes, and  some undefined soft beverage [lemonade or […] read more

The Midsummer’s Day picnic is ruined when flying ants fall into the strawberries, cucumber sandwiches, and silver cream jugs. Everyone runs for cover. Belying the humor,  the dying ants in e cream jugs and teacups, is Byatt’s metaphor contrasting the natural world with the social relationships among the English landed gentry. It presages the ruin […] read more