An original signed painting by the prolific illustrator Henry Clive. This was likely commissioned for the cover of The American Weekly, a William Randolph Hearst publication. Clive spent three decades creating several hundred covers for this weekly publication, although the original paintings rarely come on the market.

Above: View before framing with artist notated margins and title

Pictured is pin up model and Paramount Film Star Mona Freeman who made a nice career for herself typically cast as the perky good girl supporting actress. Clive is regarded as one of the leading talents from the Golden Age of American Illustration, and during his career, he also gained a name as a bon vivant celebrity and man about town in Hollywood. His choice to depict Freeman was surely at the time a sign that she had “arrived.” Work is handsomely matted and framed behind glass in a hand crafted carved basswood gold leafed gallery frame.

Though we have never seen a published example featuring this image, this painting has all the tell tale signs of the American Weekly (the text and title in the lower margin), and is a rare surviving work by one of our favorite illustrators.

Mona Freeman’s petite figure and pretty face made her a in demand 1940s pin up model as witnessed in these color pin-up photos below.