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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Sorry, It's Sold

Portrait of Gloria Swanson

Artist:Henry Clive
Date:1920-23
Medium:Oil on Illustration Board
Dimensions:Diameter 14" Framed 21 3/4" x 21 3/4"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Artwork for Paramount Films Silent Movie Tin by Canco Tin Company
Price: S O L D
Above: Full view
Above: The artist’s signature

Grapefruit Moon Gallery is delighted to offer this spectacularly executed, and exceedingly rare surviving original painting by Henry Clive of the glamorous silent era Hollywood superstar Gloria Swanson. Clive, a staff illustrator at Paramount, executed a series of portraits for for the film studio of stars including Rudolph Valentino, Mae Murray, Pola Negri, Betty Compson, Jackie Coogan, and Charlie Chaplin. These portraits graced the lids of 1920s Canco company tins, and this is the only original painting from the series known to exist. This comes from the estate of Sanford Dody, the iconic ghostwriter, who made friends and enemies throughout Hollywood (notably Bette Davis and Judy Garland) in his long career chronicling the stars. It is truly a rare treasure from the Lost Era of Hollywood. This oil on illustration board artwork is beautifully matted and framed in a period carved gilt frame and remains in a pristine state of conservation. This image of Swanson is particularly evocative of jazz age Hollywood, as Swanson would become synonymous with the period through her portrayal of Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard” (a character, intriguingly enough, based on Mae Murray, another Paramount star featured in Clive’s Canco tin series).

Above: Framed and matted in a period gold gilt frame
Above: Frame profile
Above: Detail
Above: Detail
Above: View with margins before framing

Henry Clive got his start as an illustrator working for Paramount Films in about 1920, after starring in a few early silent films himself as an actor. His illustration work from this era has proven near impossible to locate and the original paintings have seemingly gone the way of the the lost films of the era. Here is a view of the 1920s Canco Company Gloria Swanson tin this was commissioned for (included in the sale) and also a view of a collection of Clive tins from this series.

Above: As artwork appeared on Canco Co. Tin (included in sale)
Above: Assorted Canco Tins all featuring artwork by Henry Clive

Portrait of Gloria Swanson

Artist: Henry Clive
Price:  S O L D

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1920s, american, art deco, Gloria Swanson, Henry Clive, hollywood, jazz age, Paramount Films, portrait, silent movie, The Golden Gallery
Added to Gallery: March 15, 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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