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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Sorry, It's Sold

Racing The Sun

Artist:Ruehl Frederick Heckman
Date:1934
Medium:Oil on Canvas
Dimensions:Sight Size 24" x 32"
Condition:Mint
Original Use:Original Calendar Art for The Thos. D. Murphy Calendar Company
Price: S O L D
Above: Full view of oil painting on canvas
Above: The artist’s signature and detail lower right
Above: Detail
Above: An archived vintage Calendar print of “Racing The Sun” included in sale
Above: Framed in silver gesso gallery frame

“Racing the Sun” is a rare surviving oil on stretched canvas painting by Ruehl Frederick Heckman, created for the Thomas D. Murphy Calendar Company. During the 1930s Heckman executed a series of five paintings for this storied calendar company, all featuring bold aviation progress and industrial themes. These works ponder the collision of the industrial revolution’s streamlined machine age aesthetic with previous generations traditional and more pastoral ways. From the Charles Martignette estate; the work is beautifully framed and in a fine state of preservation and an important and decorative art deco era artifact.

Above: Detail
Above: Detail
Above: Detail
Above: verso Thomas D. Murphy Company label on pine stretcher
Above: Verso view of untouched old canvas and stretchers
Above: pencil notation on back stretcher bar
Above: Frame profile and detail

This was previously purchased at a Thos. D Murphy archives auction at the Illustration House in New York City by Charles Martignette in 2005.

Born in Wisconsin on April 8, 1890, the artist resided in Pasadena and Laguna Beach California until killed in an auto accident on April 20, 1942.
He was exhibited at the following events prior to his death Painters & Sculptors of LA, 1925; Pasadena Art Inst., 1925; Artists Fiesta (LA), 1931; Calif. State Fair, 1937; Festival of the Arts (Laguna Beach), 1939; Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939.

Below are calendar prints we acquired from the archives of the Thos. D. Murphy Company that show the other works by Heckman commissioned for use during the early 1930s for calendars.

Above: The image as it appeared in 1937 for The Thos. D. Murphy Calendar Co.
Above: Dawn of a New Age Calendar print by Heckman
Above: Spirit of Progress Calendar print by Heckman
Above: Flying over Catalina Calendar print by Heckman

Racing The Sun

Artist: Ruehl Frederick Heckman
Price:  S O L D

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1930s, art deco, aviation, Charles Martignette, Great Depression, landscape, machine age, original calendar art, progress, Ruehl Frederick Heckman, Thomas D. Murphy Calendar Company, western, WPA
Added to Gallery: June 23, 2010

 

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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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