Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration
This 1937 dazzling and fresh (both in scene and technique) original mixed medium illustration painting by George Petty first appeared in Esquire Magazine as a full page color cartoon. It also was published as the first image of a spiral bound folio titled “Petty – A Portfolio from Esquire”. One of the crown jewels from the estate of Charles Martignette. The work is framed and matted behind glass and is a defining example of the lithe and modernist Art Deco Petty Girl.
Artist: George Petty
This oil on canvas is a fabulous and fresh to the market cover painting by the prolific American artist E.M. Jackson created for the November, 1930 issue of The Ladies Home Journal. A smartly posed flapper and rich autumn color palette mark this impressive depiction of a homecoming scene that captures the jazz age freedom of the college set.
Artist: E. M. Jackson
This original cover painting by noted Russian American illustrator Constantin Alajalov was created for the March 21, 1936 edition of The New Yorker magazine. In the scene, what remains of a crowd of concert goers (most seem to have already taken to the exits) respond in typically divergent ways to a hunched over “lost in the moment” concert pianist who has turned away from the immortal sounds of Johann Bach to offer likely more personal yet less successful selections. Alajalov created over 70 covers in his iconic style for this Conde-Nast publication and also contributed cover art for The Saturday Evening Post.
Artist: Constantin Alajalov
This May 1930 science fiction pulp gouache painting on illustration board by noted comic artist Charles Clarence Beck who signed much of his work C.C. Beck illustrates a poem by Donald Wandrei titled Marmora. Our research suggests this could be the earliest published example of Beck’s work, as it predates his first known job by a few years. The work is sensational with a cobalt blue color palette and precise landscape work which appears to be influenced by Rockwell Kent.
Artist: C. C. Beck
A radiant and lushly executed fine art nude oil painting by the well listed female Hungarian artist Maria Szantho, who had a long and decorated career both overseas in Europe and here in the United States. Szantho created three oil paintings depicting her homeland of Hungary for the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. This is among the prettiest examples of her nude portraiture we have seen. Painting is housed in a hand carved basswood gold leafed museum quality frame.
Artist: Maria Szantho
A rare surviving mixed medium calendar commissioned painting for “American Art Works Company”. A Great Depression-era 1930s art deco work by L. Goddard of a lovely young Indian maiden drawing back cupid’s bow and taking aim. This large impressive work is beautifully framed and matted and ready to hang in a period ornate carved wood gold frame.
Artist: L. Goddard
Pre-code Hollywood starlet Verna Hillie is the subject of this erotically charged pastel portrait which was likely used as a cover for the title Reel Movie Fun, a short lived wild and racy publication. Pastel is dated and signed on the back and the sitter is identified in the artist’s hand as seen.
Artist: Cardwell Higgins
Capturing a festive scene of traditionally garbed Spanish dancers in a spirited plein air fine art painting, this c. 1930 oil on canvas by the listed artist Andrew Dobos embodies the arts & crafts style. Rendered in a flowing and lyrical Southwestern aesthetic, this will accentuate an American bungalow interior. Retains its original handsome American Arts & Crafts aesthetic gold gesso frame.
Artist: Andrew Dobos
This early 1930s pastel by frequent Golden Age of Hollywood female cover artist Mila Baine, shows a radiant and stylish Norma Shearer looking smart, crisp and alluring. Likely a cover for the title Movie Mirror, for whom Blaine worked often during the period. Handsomely matted and framed behind glass in a fine period frame. Handsomely matted and framed behind glass in a fine period frame.
Artist: Mila Baine
A colorful estate fresh pastel sketch by Rolf Armstrong C. 1930 of his lithe modernist pin-up model Margery Crampton, posed on the bow of a well rendered Chris-Craft Runabout art deco boat. This was a preliminary sketch for the August 1930 issue of College Humor Magazine. While unsigned, pastel is guaranteed to be by the hand of Rolf Armstrong, from the collection of Ken Galente former owner of Silver Screen Gallery in New York.
Artist: Rolf Armstrong
