Sorry, It's Sold

Welcome to Grapefruit Moon Gallery. Here you will find an archived visual history of past sales. Pretty to look at, some are quite old; but when they're in here, consider them sold!

This is the second of two provocative, cheeky, and sexy large nude original pin-ups we are offering by the classic American illustrator Ren Wicks from his Famous And Infamous Ladies Of The Old West, commissioned by Harolds Club Casino, in Reno Nevada. Wicks, a popular pin-up artist who was frequently commissioned to create advertising art for aviation and wartime industries, has been called the master of “wings and women.” This large and lovely gouache on illustration board features the infamous Lola Montez, creator of the Tarantula Dance, and the phrase “whatever Lola wants Lola gets.”

Lola Montez

Artist: Ren Wicks

A dramatic and rare, original Art Deco/Jazz Age watercolor of 3 nudes, dated 1929, and titled on verso The White Muse, of unknown application by noted illustrator and muralist Andre Durceneau. Defines the Art Deco Severe aesthetic and is a wonderful work. Primarily known as a painter and muralist, Andre Durenceau’s artistic oeuvre has spanned many years and many illustrations, and his work that survives is highly prized. Many consider him to be one of the greatest muralists of all time.

The White Muse

Artist: Andre Durenceau

A stylized and rare original art deco fantasy laden rendering of a nude Amazonian Warrior by noted illustrator and muralist Andre Durceneau. Almost platinum or golden age comic book-like in it’s execution. Nicely framed and matted in a period gesso frame. Primarily known as a painter and muralist, Andre Durenceau’s artistic oeuvre has spanned many years and many illustrations, and the work that survives is highly prized. Many consider him to be one of the greatest muralists of all time.

Art Deco Nude Amazon Warrior

Artist: Andre Durenceau

A decidedly art deco jazz age original cover illustration for Judge Magazine signed F. Hanley lower right. Titled Feeding The Flames for the February 7, cover a topical great depression humorous depiction. Gouache painting is displayed in a great period ornate carved gesso frame.

Feeding The Flames

Artist: Frank Hanley

An unusual pen & ink drawing by pre-eminent William Randolph Hearst illustrator Nell Brinkley. This intricately detailed 1932 illustration offers satirical social commentary on the deliterious effects the ongoing Great Depression was having on economic health around the world. In this lighter take on troubled times, three Brinkley Girls are depicted nursing the ailing globe back to health.

Political Great Depression Brinkley Girl Illustration

Artist: Nell Brinkley

I am pleased to offer a wonderfully executed original pastel by Rolf Armstrong that was used as a College Humor Magazine cover (February 1933) and also as a pair of Brown & Bigelow calendar prints titled Lets Go Places and a cropped “head only” version titled Florence published a few years later in 1937. A skillfully executed and elaborately detailed (and large for the artist) pastel of a sassy, beret-wearing blonde and her Scottish terrier. Classic good girl imagery by the father of American Pin-up.

Lets Go Places

Artist: Rolf Armstrong

A festive Christmas-themed Great Depression avoiding original illustration by John Holmgren for the December 1933 edition of Judge Magazine. A Victorian-themed, carriage-driven, jolly portrayal of a more well to do less menacing time in American society. A complete printed issue of the magazine accompanies the painting.

A Christmas Number

Artist: John Holmgren

A glamorous and devine large rendering of beautiful screen star siren Gene Tierney in pastel done in 1936 and used for a cover of True Confessions Magazine, January 1940. A defining work by noted Brown & Bigelow pin-up artist and prolific cover illustrator Zoe Mozert . Mozert executed over 400 covers for such titles as Screen Book, True Romance, True Confessions and Randolph Hearst’s American Weekly. This is an examplatory example of Zoe’s Hollywood Portraiture and is in pristine condition with original gilt ornate frame.

Gene Tierney

Artist: Zoe Mozert

A rare and outstanding situational pin-up painting used as calendar art for The Louis F. Dow Calendar Co., circa 1950. Image is playfully titled A Double Catch. This was purchased by a gentleman the day he got back from the Viet Nam War in the early 1970’s. The Dow Calendar Company rented a downtown Saint Paul hotel and sold off their paintings and original calendar art at $50.00 a painting! This is a major find and has never been on the market since it was purchased thirty years ago. Great composition and outdoors man-themed, fly fishing/rainbow trout scene in perfect flawless condition as seen.

A Double Catch

Artist: Vaughan Bass

A fantastic and phrenetic original art deco era illustration of a nude nymph sea sprite and friends riding a school of flying fish ! Original use is unknown; looks like a pulp cover or perhaps an early Science & Invention cover to these eyes . A defining and whimsical example by the American Artist Charles W. Pancoast, who is credited with illustrating the 1907 edition of BLACK BEAUTY: The Autobiography of a Horse by Dodge Publishing Company, New York.

A Nude Sea Sprite On A Flying Fish

Artist: Charles Pancoast

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