• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Recent Additions
  • The Gallery
    • About
    • Browse by Topic
    • eBay
    • Sorry, It’s Sold
  • Guarantee & Policies
    • Guarantee
    • Shipping & Payment
    • Amazon.com Shipping Information
    • eBay Buyer Protection
  • Contact & Social Media
    • E-mail & Phone
    • eBay
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

  • Gallery Blog
  • Golden Gallery
  • Fine & Decorative
  • Illustration & Advertising
  • Paperback & Pulp
  • Pin-Up & Glamour
Sorry, It's Sold

Rudolph Valentino

Artist:Emil Flohri
Date:1926
Medium:Pastel on Illustration Board
Dimensions:Sight Size 13 1/2" x 15 3/4" Framed 24 1/2" x 27 1/2"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Cover for Motion Picture Magazine - September 1926
Price: SOLD
Full view of pastel
Full view of pastel
The artist's signature lower right
The artist’s signature lower right
Motion Picture Magazine - September, 1926 (included in sale)
Motion Picture Magazine – September, 1926 (included in sale)

This original pastel on board by Emil Flohri shows Rudolph Valentino as the title character in Son of the Sheik, the controversial romantic adventure that was unexpectedly the final film starring silent filmdom’s first iconic heartthrob. The film featured Valentino both reprising his breakthrough role of the Sheik, and also playing the young prince Ahmed, the Sheik’s son. Ahmed falls in love with a young French woman played by Vilma Banky and the scenes of their torrid romance highlighted the virility and magnetism for which Valentino was known. Released in July 1926, the film rejuvenated Valentino’s career, and became one of the most popular films of the year. This signed pastel was commissioned and used as the cover for the September 1926 edition of Motion Picture Magazine, and was published almost simultaneously with the unexpected death of Valentino on August 23rd, 1926, at the age of 31. A complete copy of the printed magazine is included in the sale.

This belonged for many years to Ken Galente who operated The Silver Screen Gallery in New York City for many years. Original Hollywood cover art from this era is exceedingly scarce and this is a iconic portrait of Valentino from his signature role.

Framed and matted under glass view
Framed and matted under glass view
Frame corner profile view
Frame corner profile view

The pastel is in a remarkable state of conservation and is handsomely silk matted and lined behind glass in an attractive gold gallery frame that complements the work brilliantly.

A short biography of Emil Flohri courtesy of the Early Animation Wiki:

At the beginning of the 20th century, Flohri was a well known political cartoonist. He joined Leslie’s Magazine as a young boy and worked his way up to the position of Washington political cartoonist and illustrator. After moving to Los Angeles in the early 1920s, Flohri worked as a portrait painter for silent movie stars. He joined Walt Disney Productions in 1930 where he worked as a background artist on the Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony series until his death in 1938.

Rudolph Valentino

Artist: Emil Flohri
Price:  SOLD

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1920s, american, Emil Flohri, Golden Age, hollywood, magazine cover, Motion Picture, original cover art, pin up, portrait, Rudolph Valentino, silent movie, The Shiek
Added to Gallery: March 27, 2012

 

Contact Grapefruit Moon Gallery



    Primary Sidebar

    Join our mailing list

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery Around the Web

    Facebook
    Instagram
    Pinterest
    Twitter

    Recent Additions

    Gone With the Wind

    Pigeon Feathers

    Packed Dirt, Churchgoing, A Dying Cat, A Traded Car

    Footer

    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]

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery on eBay

     

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery on Instagram

    View on Instagram

    Copyright © 2023