Above: Full view

Above: The artist’s signature

Above: Framed and matted in period frame behind glass

A rare surviving gouache painting by Brooklyn, New York pin up artist and calendar illustrator Frank D’amario. Grapefruitmoongallery has sold dozens of this artists published pin up prints and calendars over the years and recently acquired a pair of his original paintings. This sadly has a faint water tide line and rippling to the paper in the bottom portion. It is certainly acceptable as-is but could benefit from some careful paper conservation, it is bargain priced accordingly and by all accounts a scarce surviving example of The Great American Pin-up.

Above: Detail

Above: Verso view showing water lines and rippling

Above: Frame profile

The classic pin up / cheesecake stylings of this work along with the Bettie Page severe hairstyle place this work at about 1948 – 1952, the height of the pin-up craze. Work is nicely matted and framed in a period gold frame behind glass. Below are numerous examples of published D’amario playing cards, pin-up prints and matchbook covers that show how prolific this artist was, these are for reference and not included in the sale.