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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Sorry, It's Sold

Making her Appearance

Artist:A.D. Rahn
Date:c. 1915
Medium:Oil on canvasboard
Dimensions:Sight size 18" x 24" Framed to 22 1/2" x 28 1/2"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Interior story illustration of unknown usage
Price: Sold
Framed view
Framed view

 

The artist's signature lower left
The artist’s signature lower left

 

Detail
Detail

This majestic and otherworldly oil-on-board by the New York illustrator A.D. Rahn is a reflection on the decadence of the Broadway stage circa 1915. A beautiful and haughty blonde, whose bobbed hair and dropped waist gown evoke Irene Castle, is seen emerging from backstage with the help of a green imp, her own high minded attitude is captured by the halo that surrounds her. Holding a small dog in another nod to Castle, who was notorious for taking her pets (including a monkey) on publicity tours with her, this original illustration evokes the almost superhuman power stars held, while suggesting the dark underworld dangers of a life on stage for beautiful women.

 

Full view
Full view

 

Detail
Detail

 

Frame profile corner view
Frame profile corner view

Angelo Donald Rahn was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1871. With his wife Beatrice Rahn (nee. Binnix), he moved to New York City where he worked as a freelance illustrator contributing cover art and interior work for mainstream magazines such as Metropolitan, Boy’s Life, McCall’s, and St. Nicholas. Along with these commissions, he also worked as a prolific book illustrator for the publishing house Grosset and Dunlap among others. We have not yet been able to locate the exact usage of this piece, but our best guess is that it appeared as an interior bookplate. The board verso shows one notation that appears to read “Return of the Morning” and another we cannot make out.

Verso notations with print story usage text
Verso notations with print story usage text
verso view of oil on illustration board painting
Verso view of oil on illustration board painting

Making her Appearance

Artist: A.D. Rahn
Price:  Sold

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1910s, A.D. Rahn, american, art nouveau, flapper, Irene Castle, new york city, original illustration art, original interior illustration, pin up, sci-fi, theater
Added to Gallery: June 13, 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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