Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration
At the turn of the 20th century, Industrial Revolution inventions brought technological advancements to printmaking that ushered in a Golden Age of American illustration. Publishers and calendar companies developed new techniques for producing multi-color offset lithographs that were fast, affordable, and flat-out glorious to view, blurring the distinction between fine art and "art for commerce." The best examples by the finest commercial illustrators were revered by the public, and today are beloved by collectors.
 |
An evocotive 19th century oil on canvas by listed Connecticut painter and illustrator Augustus Smith Daggy 1858-1942. Original hand carved American folkart pine frame, with hearts and crosses to accent this stirring portrait of a woman in mourning. Some minor soiling and wear to canvas and frame. Call or e-mail for a complete condition report.
Artist: Augustus Daggy
This is a haunting original illustration of an Egyptian Princess trying to save her Dying Prince, by concocting some potions as a serpent feeds and assorted Black Magic abounds. A stunning presumably interior book plate illustration signed Maurice Greiffenhasen. This evokes the early 1900’s imagery of Coles Phillips and Maxfield Parrish and is masterfully executed with a very stylized art deco Egyptian aesthetic.
Artist: Maurice Greiffenhasen
A moving, evocotive, and expertly-painted Art Nouveau or Arts and Crafts-influenced illustration painting making reference to the interior story, Artificial Creation of Life by Garrett P. Serviss titled How Did Life Begin On This Planet? This is by the illustrator William Krieghoff and the evolved technique at the turn of the last century is mind-boggling. This piece personifies the allure of art nouveau, double matted in a large beautiful ornate frame.
Artist: William Krieghoff
During the 1920’s in America, all eyes were seemingly on the discovery and subsequent opening of King Tutankhamun’s tomb. For a brief period the decorative arts reflected this fascination with all things Egyptian. This influence is today referred to as Art Deco Egyptian. Here is a magnificent example of this popular culture obsession as painted by renouned illustrator Rudolph Schabelitz depicting the presentation of a pectoral and necklace to Princess Sat of Egypt 1800 B.C.
Artist: R. F. Schabelitz
Completed preliminary study for a 1920’s magazine cover. Benda was best known for his illustrations of beautiful exotic women. He was also very well known for his creations of theatrical art deco masks. Benda authored his own book copyright 1944 entitled Masks, showing many examples of his work and detailed instructions on his mask-making.
Artist: Wladyslaw Benda
A rare surviving original illustration by James Arthur for use as calendar art created in the late 1920’s for the Louis F. Dow calendar company under the title Land of Sky Blue Waters. The allure of the Indian Maiden proved inspiration for many American Illustrators. They were curiously portrayed as “white” and anglicized in their features. Today, Indian Maidens are even more collectible than during their initial popularity of the 1920’s. This work has photographic elements in her face and figure (which was often the case with artists of this genre), with much detailed oil painting. A published calendar top with artwork is included in sale.
Artist: James Arthur
he September 1923 cover of Picture Play magazine, a delightful red headed flapper portrait of silent movie player, Pauline Garon. During the roaring twenties, Clive created numerous jazz age-inspired portrait covers for Silent Movie era magazines. These covers were in direct competition with those Rolf Armstrong was creating for College Humor Magazine. A masterful painter, on par with Rolf Armstrong and the other top deco era American Illustrators, Henry Clive was adept at both pastel work and oils, and his original works are extremely scarce and coveted by collectors.
Artist: Henry Clive
An original Brown & Bigelow commissioned illustration presumably for a jewelers’ calendar advertisement. Bill Layne was best known for his humorous “hillbilly” renderings which blended in shapely pin-up girls and elves. During the later years of Brown & Bigelow’s long run, Layne was one of their star illustrators.
Artist: Bill Layne
A rare original pastel portrait of Mary Wesson, the silent movie star and of Smith & Wesson Family fame, by Charles Sheldon. The pastel comes with the original photograph taken by Sheldon of his posed model. This image captures the carnival like atmosphere of the jazz age. Framed in a period 1920’s gesso wooden “step-frame”.
Artist: Charles Sheldon
A large dramatic oil on canvas would appear to be an illustration for use as a cigarette advertisement . Signed lower right “Pritchard 27 . A large evocotive and decidedly art deco creation which is mysterious in many ways and proved difficult in researching .
Artist: Pritchard
