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Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Luna – Goddess of the Moon

Artist:J. Ross Bryson
Date:1910s
Medium:Pastel on illustration board
Dimensions:Frame: 29.5" x 44" | Image size: 17.5" x 32.5"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Likely published calendar art
Nude Art Nouveau goddess seated on the edge of the moon
Full view of pastel illustration

Art Nouveau Moon Goddess by James Ross Bryson

This is a rare surviving pastel by the prolific and inventive early pin-up artist James Ross Bryson. Bryson defined Art Nouveau feminine beauty with his Edwardian views of corseted and lavishly attired, erotic, and bold anti-Victorian maidens. An early star staff artist for the Thomas D. Murphy calendar company, his work also appeared as postcards, advertising, and magazine covers. Bryson’s strong use of color and stylized depictions of feminine glamour were heavily influential on Art Deco pastel artists like Rolf Armstrong, Earl Moran, and ZoĆ« Mozert.

Original pastel works by J. Ross Bryson rarely come on the market, though vintage lithographs and calendars featuring images by the artist are hotly collected. This pastel features an exquisite nude goddess wrapped in a wispy gossamer fabric and red hair that is long and cascading down her back as she sits on the edge of the moon. We have been unable to find a published example of this work, but it was likely created for use as calendar art.

Detailed view of illustration
Detailed view
Detailed view of illustration
Detailed view
The artist's signature, lower right
The artist’s signature, lower right
Framed view
Framed view
Frame detail
Frame detail

Luna – Goddess of the Moon

Artist: J. Ross Bryson

Filed Under: Pin-Up & Glamour Art, Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1910s, art nouveau, Calendar Art, Edwardian, J. Ross Bryson, Pastel Illustration, The Golden Gallery
Added to Gallery: August 23, 2021

 

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