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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

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Sorry, It's Sold

Publicity for The New York World’s Fair

Artist:Andre Durenceau
Date:1939
Medium:Gouache on illustration board
Dimensions:Sight size 12 1/2" x 20" Framed to 24 1/2" x 32"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Publicity for The New York World's Fair
Price: Sold
Full view of gouache on illustration board
Full view of gouache on illustration board

 

Full framed view
Full framed view

 

The artist's signature of "Andre" lower right
The artist’s signature of “Andre” lower right

A streamlined and modernist look at the attractions and Futurama-inspired architecture that graced the 1939 – 1940 New York World’s Fair. This tremendous and bustling work is by the noted muralist, illustrator, and fine artist Andre Durenceau, who was hired with much fanfare to create murals for the Metals Building at this fair. The theme of the Fair was “The World Of Tomorrow,” and the artist captures the machine age industrial cityscape in great detail with a fluid sense of motion and excitement. The blond haired pin up beauty in the foreground appears to be effortlessly swept into the future by the sheer excitement of the event.  Seen are the iconic Theme Center of the fair, the Trylon and Perisphere, along with a dizzying array of planes, trains, and futuristic automobiles. Industrial design really came into its own at this fair thanks to exhibits like the Norman Bel Geddes designed, General Motors sponsored Futurama, and the humanoid smoking robot Electro, which was displayed by Westinghouse.

Detail
Detail

 

Detail
Detail

 

Frame corner detail
Frame corner detail

 

Board verso before framing with Durenceau's New York address
Board verso before framing with Durenceau’s New York address

 

New York Journal article on Durenceau's work New York World's Fair
New York Journal article on Durenceau’s work for the New York World’s Fair

Andre Durenceau was born in Auray, France on June 1, 1904, and moved to Los Angeles in the late 1920s.  In California, he worked in the art department of Technicolor Studios, and became an in demand muralist whose commissions ranged from private Hollywood homes to an epic depiction of Samson and Delilah that was a focal point in the historic Leimert theater. After leaving L.A. for New York City, he continued to create murals for private customers, and became an in demand book illustrator noted for his commanding figural work, and his versatility. This versatility is on display with his work for the World’s Fair.  Durenceau’s mural for the New York World’s Fair metal building shows mythological view of the god Poseidon looming over a steel hulled transport ship, an image that stands in counterpoint (in both theme and style) to this cutting edge streamlined “World of Tomorrow” painting.

Mural by Durenceay for the New York World's Fair - Metal Building
Mural by Durenceau for the New York World’s Fair – Metal Building

Publicity for The New York World’s Fair

Artist: Andre Durenceau
Price:  Sold

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1930s, Andre Durenceau, art deco, machine age, muralist, new york city, pin up, The Golden Gallery, The New York World's Fair
Added to Gallery: April 8, 2017

 

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    About Grapefruit Moon Gallery

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery, based in Minneapolis MN, specializes in vintage pin up and original illustration art.  We are the proud home of the Bunny Yeager archives.

    Since 2003, Grapefruit Moon Gallery has been a leading dealer of exclusive original paintings by Gil Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, Earl Moran, Rolf Armstrong and Henry Clive, as well as vintage photographs, prints, and period decorative arts in ceramic and metal.

    All artworks featured are original, accurately represented, and guaranteed to be the work of the named artist.

    Interested buyers may view pieces by appointment and we are happy to answer any questions you may have. [Contact Us]

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