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Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Illustration & Advertising Art

The Original Beetles

Artist:Bill Layne
Date:1960s
Medium:Gouache on illustration board
Dimensions:Sight size 9" by 11" Framed 19" by 23"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Published illustration art of unknown usage
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Bill_Layne_Beatles_preview
Full View
The artist's signature lower right
The artist’s signature lower right
Detail
Detail

A silly and brilliant madcap gouache painting by one of our favorite late period calendar illustrators Bill Layne, titled The Original Beetles. Captured on stage (or is it a daisy pod), are a mod trio of mop topped bugs making a racket as a trio version of England’s pop sensation the Beatles. This was a published illustration likely commissioned by The Louis F. Dow Calendar Company of Saint Paul, Minnesota where the artist was active during the band’s heyday. This could have been created to coincide with The Beatles only appearance in the Twin Cities, an August 21, 1965 show at Metropolitan Stadium.

View of gouache before framing showing publication labels
View of gouache before framing showing publication labels
Margin notations detail
Margin notations detail
Full framed view
Full framed view

The Original Beetles

Artist: Bill Layne

Filed Under: Illustration & Advertising Art
Tagged With: 1960s, Beatles, Bill Layne, Calendar, Ludwig drums, original calendar art, original illustration art
Added to Gallery: January 4, 2018

 

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