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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Sorry, It's Sold

Private Night Life of a Psychiatrist

Artist:James Montgomery Flagg
Date:1948
Medium:Watercolor on illustration board
Dimensions:Sight size 8 1/2" x 11 1/4" Framed 12" x 15"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Gag presentation drawing
Price: SOLD
Full view of watercolor painting
Full view of watercolor painting

 

The artist's signature and date of 1948 lower right
The artist’s signature and date of 1948 lower right

 

Framed view in original wood frame with old matting behind glass
Framed view in original wood frame with old matting behind glass

A whimsical and satirical yet deftly rendered original self portrait watercolor painting dated 1948 by the legendary American illustrator and New York City resident James Montgomery Flagg. The artist paints himself tiptoeing along the roofline of a posh Park Avenue neighborhood in the guise of a snarky Psychiatrist with a Central Park night time cityscape under a full moon as the backdrop. In an homage to the classic German Expressionist silent film horror, “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” he takes on the role of the crazed somnambulist Cesare (Conrad Veidt) as he deliriously skips atop wall ledges in the middle of the night. A playful look at the duality of human nature. Hearkening back to the film, Flagg’s joke appears to be that the psychiatrist, though he spends every day getting his clients to face their inner demons, maintains a secret shadow life as a randy tomcat. Hand painted gag line reads “Private Night Life Of A Park Avenue Psychiatrist – Dick Hoffman Sings – I Wonder Why I’m On the Tiles When Pussycat Sleeps In Bed And Smiles.” Dick Hoffman was indeed a prestigious analyst in NYC at the time, and a local celebrity. He appeared as one of the panelists on the first telecast of “What’s My Line,” and at the time this artwork was created, the Hoffman family was in the news for a highly public affair his son was carrying on with an heiress to the Dodge motor empire. The genuine affection between Flagg and his gadfly friend are apparent in this charming watercolor. Even in this quick working the cleverness and technical precision of Flagg is on display. Painting is framed behind glass in the original simple wood frame with original matting.

Detail of self portrait of the artist
Detail of self portrait of the artist

 

artist painted caption detail
artist painted caption detail
Cesare in the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Cesare in the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Private Night Life of a Psychiatrist

Artist: James Montgomery Flagg
Price:  SOLD

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1940s, american, Golden Age, James Montgomery Flagg, new york city, original illustration art, satirical, Watercolor
Added to Gallery: April 1, 2014

 

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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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