A monumental and important original large pastel illustration on stretched canvas by James Ross Bryson, executed in 1914 for The Thos. D. Murphy Calendar Company of Red Oak, Iowa under the title “Reverie in Green.” Bryson was an influential and supremely gifted and handsomely paid Canadian illustrator who earned a hefty $200.00 per commission for images of his risque for the day, modern enchantress themed Art Nouveau maiden depictions. This work is housed in it’s remarkable original wide solid mahogany gold gilt lined antique frame, in a pristine state of conservation properly lined behind glass.

Bryson’s strong use of color, and stylized depictions of feminine glamour were heavily influential on Art Deco pastel artists like Rolf Armstrong, Earl Moran and Zoe Mozert.

Above: Verso notations

Above: verso view

The Bryson girl, one of the most erotic ideals of early 20th century feminine beauty, can be seen hanging in numerous bordello rooms in Storyville, the red light district in New Orleans. E. J. Bellocq, an unexceptional commercial photographer who lived in New Orleans shortly after the turn of the century, chronicled working girls in brothels, and Bryson pastels frequently appear in the background of these photographs. Original pastel works by J. Ross Bryson rarely come on the market, though vintage lithographs and calendars featuring images by the artist are hotly collected. This is a unique opportunity to own a defining original important work by this influential early Calendar Art pioneer.