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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Illustration & Advertising Art

Gloria Swanson

Artist:James Montgomery Flagg
Date:1936
Medium:Charcoal on Illustration Board
Dimensions:Sight Size 14" x 19" Framed 20 3/4" x 26 1/4"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Illustration Art Used In Sunset Boulevard Film
Full view
Full view
The artist's signature and date of 1936 lower right corner
The artist’s signature and date of 1936 lower right corner
Screen shot From Sunset Boulevard, with artwork prominently displayed above mantle.
Screen shot from Sunset Boulevard, with artwork prominently displayed above mantle.

A sophisticated charcoal portrait by iconic and beloved American artist and illustrator James Montgomery Flagg, dated 1936. This severe yet fetching caricature-styled portrait of Hollywood film legend Gloria Swanson dates to her self-imposed seven year hiatus from Hollywood and was later featured prominently in the film Sunset Boulevard.  We have included a screen shot from the film which prominently shows the drawing above the mantel in the living room of Norma Desmond, one of the many real-life images of Swanson to pepper the film. Flagg created a series of similar portraits for the cover of Photoplay magazine during the years 1936 – 1938. This was likely commissioned by Photoplay for the series, but scrapped when a rumored return to film by Swanson failed to materialize. It is quite possible that Flagg found another outlet for publication, but we have yet to see this in print form. Portrait is handsomely matted and framed behind glass and in a fine state of conservation.

Framed and matted under glass view
Framed and matted under glass view
Detail
Detail

Gloria Swanson

Artist: James Montgomery Flagg

Filed Under: Illustration & Advertising Art, Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1930s, american, art deco, Gloria Swanson, hollywood, illustration, James Montgomery Flagg, original illustration art, Photoplay, portrait, sunset boulevard
Added to Gallery: February 18, 2012

 

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