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 Zoë 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.