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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Fine & Decorative Art

City In Ruins

Artist:Unknown American Artist
Date:1930s
Medium:Oil On Stretched Canvas
Dimensions:Sight Size 20" X 24" | Framed 29 3/4" x 25 1/2"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Fine Art
Price: $2,500.00
Full view
Detail
Detail of impasto brush work

Dating to the WPA-era, when many American artists turned their attention to the perils of modernity, urbanization, and the consequences of industrialization, this oil on canvas fine art painting takes a surreal and bleak apocalyptic look at a cityscape (likely New York City) being set upon by a serpent and the wolves that act as his familiars. The artist of this work is unknown to us, so we have been unable to do much research into which, if any, traditional folklore inspired these creatures, but this is a tremendous example of the terrifying dreamscapes that were popular among Ashcan-inspired artists, and Regionalists. The artist here used a really heavily applied impasto paint technique in such a manner that the serpents eyeballs rise a quarter of an inch of the canvas. This is a remarkably bizarre work that intrigues everyone who comes across it.

Framed view in wide profile Arts & Crafts frame
Verso view of canvas on original pine stretchers

City In Ruins

Artist: Unknown American Artist
Price:  $2,500.00

Filed Under: Fine & Decorative Art
Tagged With: 1930s, american, Cityscape, fantasy, fine art, Golden Age, new york city, outsider art, science fiction, WPA
Added to Gallery: December 20, 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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