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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Sorry, It's Sold

Compliments of R. Smith

Artist:Martha Sawyers
Date:1940
Medium:Pastel on IIllustration Board
Dimensions:Sight Size 20 1/2 " x 29 1/2" Framed 29" x 38"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Interior Illustration on page 10 of Collier's Magazine.
Price: S O L D
Above: Full view of pastel
Above: Page 10 Dec. 28 , 1940 Collier’s
Above: Work label on verso of artwork

A wonderfully executed interior illustration for a story by Eustace Cockrell titled Compliments of R. Smith. Depicting a Christmas gift given to the gentleman center in the form of a race horse. Caption reads: “He won de second at Sunnyside Downs,” Refugee said ” Merry Christmas, Mr. Willie .” A large crisply-rendered pastel nicely framed and matted in it’s original gesso frame. Retains original Collier’s Magazine verso identification label and a full copy of the published magazine is included in the sale. Martha Sawyers artwork is in the Frank Gehry-designed Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis.

Above: Framed view in period gesso frame
Above: The artists signature lower right

Biography of Martha Sawyers (1902-1988)

She became an illustrator unintentionally. Her drawings and paintings of China and Indonesia were on exhibition at the Marie Sterner Gallery and happened to be seen by William Chessman, art editor of Collier’s. Chessman offered her a manuscript with an Oriental setting, which she illustrated with the sensitivity and taste for which her work has since become famous.

Martha was from Cuero, Texas, studied at the Art Students League; lived and painted in Paris, Bali, Peking, Nepal, and numerous other parts of the world. During World War II, Collier’s sent her as an artist-correspondent to the China-Burma-India area and published numerous illustrated articles by her about the armed forces personnel and the native populations. LIFE magazine published a series of her pastel portraits of Orientals in the British Merchant Navy. She also designed posters for China Relief.

Above: Detail of finely rendered pastel

Compliments of R. Smith

Artist: Martha Sawyers
Price:  S O L D

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1940s, american, christmas, Collier's, holiday, Martha Sawyers, original interior illustration
Added to Gallery: April 29, 2005

 

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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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