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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Sorry, It's Sold

Joss Paper Ceremony

Artist:Henry Soulen
Date:1920s
Medium:Oil on Illustration Board
Dimensions:Sight Size 11 1/2" X 17 1/4"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Interior story illustration for The Saturday Evening Post
Price: Sold
Full view
Verso publication label for The Saturday Evening Post

This original 1920s oil on board painting by Henry Soulen is a commissioned interior illustration for The Saturday Evening Post. The image shows two figures engaged in what appears to be a traditional “ghost money” ceremony, a Taoist tradition of burning joss paper as an offering to spirits of one’s ancestors. The colorful, boldly painted, Orientalist scene is unsigned but is guaranteed to be by the American artist Henry Soulen. The verso bears a Curtis Publishing Company label identifying this as appearing in The Saturday Evening Post. Framed in a simple, original-to-the-painting wood frame.

Detail
Verso view
Framed in simple original wood frame

HENRY JAMES SOULEN (courtesy of Gratz):
(Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 1888 – 1965)

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 12, 1888, Henry James Soulen was a noted illustrator. He attended the Art Students League in Milwaukee, the Art Institute of Chicago, and later studied under the celebrated teacher, Howard Pyle, the founder of the Brandywine School. He also studied with N.C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, and Jessie Wilcox Smith.

An illustrator for the “Saturday Evening Post,” Henry Soulen began his career in May, 1912. He also worked for other publications including “Country Gentleman” and “Ladies Home Journal” and earned a Peabody Award for his magazine cover designs. He was known for his use of intense, brilliant color at a time when many illustrations were in black and white.

He was a thorough researcher and eventually collected a large and varied collection of costumes, weapons, and other objects that he used in his drawings. At age 62, he became a college professor at the University of Maryland and taught the first illustration that art department offered. During World War II, he gave free art lessons at the Valley Forge Military Hospital, a rehabilitation center for veterans.

The artist made his home between Phoenixville, Pennsylvania and Oceanville, Maine, until he died in 1965.

Joss Paper Ceremony

Artist: Henry Soulen
Price:  Sold

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1920s, American Impressionist, asian, Golden Age, Henry Soulen, Impasto, orientalist, original illustration art, The Saturday Evening Post
Added to Gallery: June 21, 2018

 

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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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