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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Sorry, It's Sold

Thoughts of Pascal

Artist:Harrison Fisher
Date:1907
Medium:Goauche on Illustration Board
Dimensions:Sight Size 22" x 30" Framed 33" x 41 1/2"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Bookplate for Tennyson's A Dream of Fair Women
Price: Sold
Full view of goauche painting
Full view of goauche painting
The artist's signature lower left
The artist’s signature lower left
Above: Full page colorplate of work as it appeared in “A Dream of Fair Women”

A macabre and dark highly inventive large format gouache illustration painting by Harrison Fisher used as a full color book plate in the 1907 edition of “A Dream of Fair Women” by Lord Alfred Tennyson. In this scene our maiden fair has just completed lent and prepares to give the devil his due and go out ballroom dancing in revealing for the day, corseted attire. This is a classic Harrison Fisher painting and a wonderful and historically impactful example of late Victorian period imagery where traditional customs are seen colliding with a less restrained, more promiscuous Edwardian vision of femininity.

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Above: Verso view before framing
Above: Page preceding illustration in book

The verse by Lord Alfred Tennyson which this illustrates reads in full “She’s back! her penance self imposed is over! Lent passed, now for ten naughty months in clover! The devil is to have his due, the rascal! And ballroom whispers drown the Thoughts of Pascal.” This prime example from the Golden Age of Illustration is handsomely matted and framed behind glass and a copy of the book accompanies the sale.

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Framed and matted behind glass in handsome gallery frame
Framed and matted behind glass in handsome gallery frame
Frame detail
Frame detail

“The Father of a Thousand Girls”

Harrison Fisher was born in Brooklyn, NYC but spent most of his youth in San Francisco until he turned 21 years old. He then moved back to New York where he began his highly successful career as a magazine illustrator.

Harrison Fisher never married, but his “secretary,” Kate Clemens, was also his lifetime partner.

During World War One Harrison Fisher showed his patriotism by illustrating posters for the US government, free of charge.

In one newspaper article he was quoted as lamenting that he drew women almost exclusively, but that is what the market demanded.

“The American Girl has found no more facile pencil than that wielded by Mr. Harrison Fisher. He has succeeded in creating a beautiful type distinctly his own.”

~ Ladies’ Home Journal, 1910

Above: A Dream of Women Fair, 1907 Grosset & Dunlap

Thoughts of Pascal

Artist: Harrison Fisher
Price:  Sold

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1900s, american, christian, devil, Edwardian, Golden Age, Harrison Fisher, Lord Alfred Tennyson, macabre, maiden, new york city, original interior illustration, pin up, victorian
Added to Gallery: June 28, 2011

 

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    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]

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