Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration
An elementally beautiful nymph in the midst of metamorphosis rises from the churning sea in this mythic and beautiful 1907 oil on canvas by Paul Swan. This important early example from the artist, who was himself a social butterfly, features tremendous sophistication of technique, and combines the Art Nouveau style which was popular at the time with hints of the streamlined figural forms which would become synonymous with the art deco era.
Artist: Paul Swan
A rare surviving Edward Sheriff Curtis nude titled “Aphrodite”, (Spirit of the Sea)” circa 1920s, a blue-toned gelatin silver photograph. Signed with the Curtis LA copyright insignia in the negative on the image, accompanied by the original frame backing stamped Aphrodite, Curtis Studio, Los Angeles. One of 3 blue nudes Curtis did towards the end of his life and a coveted rare old original photograph. In a fine state of conservation with silvering in the emulsion along the photographs edges.
Artist: Edward Curtis
This set of two pendant oil paintings is unusual within Wenzell’s oervre, both for its classical mythological subject and explicit eroticism. These two paintings were clearly conceived as a matched set; they present a “before” and “after” narrative. The first panel was published as a vignette in the March 26th, 1910 issue of Collier’s magazine but we don’t believe that the second work was created for publication. This pair was displayed in the Wenzell’s 1967 Maxwell Gallery (San Francisco) exhibition, “The Age of Elegance.” An illustrated program is included with sale.
Artist: Albert Wenzell
We are delighted to offer an extraordinary, large, masterfully executed and cleverly conceived oil on stretched canvas by Charles Bosseron Chambers. This is a dark take on the nude forest nymph theme which captivated the likes of Arthur Spear, Maxfield Parrish and Robert Atkinson Fox. In this work the nude nymph is visted by elfin eared musical satyrs which represent, to the deeply religious Chambers, the underworld of sensuality. This allegorical work is haunting and evocotive, the nude is rendered with great care and a mastery of the female form which is second to none. This is among the finest works we have offered; the painterly technique and technical expertise of C. Bosseron Chambers is masterfully harnessed in this work. Framed in a museum quality art deco aesthetic gallery frame. A haunting epic work that examines the allure of temptation and the temptation of allure.
Artist: Charles Bosseron Chambers
We are pleased to offer this stunning pastel from 1920 by Arthur Spear Prince. A moving and evocotive fantastical work which served as a study for the larger exhibited oil painting titled “Wings of The Morning”. Labeled on verso and marked “Fenway Studios Boston.” This is framed and matted in a beautiful American Arts & Crafts aesthetic period gesso frame. Work is dated and signed lower right.
Artist: Arthur Prince Spear
Perhaps the finest Rolf Armstrong original pastel ever offered for sale and one of only a hand full of nudes done by this iconic American illustrator. This original pastel was one of three nudes Armstrong did in the 1930’s. It was marketed as a calendar print titled, “Rosalie” as well as “Hollywood Venus”. This large, reclining nude was clearly a personal favorite of Armstrong’s. It hung on his studio walls throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s. This is a large and monumental art deco masterwork by the Father of the American Pin-Up. With an expensive gallery frame, this pastel is in pristine condition with unfaded vibrant colors.
Artist: Rolf Armstrong
A large and dramatic interior illustration by Walt Louderback for an American Slick magazine such as Collier’s or The Saturday Evening Post. An impressionist style, colorful and free flowing view of a delightful young red headed girl depicted against a backdrop of cyprus trees and a flat bottomed boat. In fine ornate frame.
Artist: Walt Louderback
An important and rare original cover illustration for Vogue Magazine by Eduardo Benito who did his first cover for Vogue in November 1921 . Along with George LePape , Helen Dryden , and George Plank, Benito was a frequent cover contributor and really came into his own and helped define the late 1920’s Jazz Age sophisticated angular geometric look.
Artist: Eduardo Benito
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.
Artist: Charles Pancoast
An exceedingly scarce original oil on canvas by noted Illinois early calendar artist F.R. Harper. Harper had a long and successful career in American Illustration. He was particularily adept at portraying exotic-themed Anglo Saxon-ized Indian Maidens and his rare paintings of beautiful women are some of the most poignant in terms of mood and technique from the early art nouveau influenced pre art deco years of glamour art. This is nicely framed and has been oversprayed with some type of varnish or shellac at some point and is priced accordingly.
Artist: F. R. Harper
