Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

nymph

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.

Early Calendar Maiden at a Stream

Artist: F. R. Harper
Price:  S O L D

A delightful if somewhat macabre and seemingly allegorical take on an interior nude Harem Scene. Eerily rendered grotesques, satyrs, nymphs, and a female nude in the forefront — ravished by age — cavort in a whimsical Middle Eastern aesthetic interior. Painting is unsigned but guaranteed to be an original work by this well-listed and exhibited artist. A fresh estate auction buy, where a large collection of Brown original paintings were sold over a several month period straight from the artist’s descendents’ estate. Beautifully framed in a period, ornate gesso wood frame as seen and mounted on original suede as presented by artist and found.

Art Deco Nude Harem Scene

Artist: Bob Brown
Price:  S O L D

This is a rare opportunity to purchase an original Art Deco Era pastel by undoubtably the finest female pin-up illustrator of this Golden Age! This large and breathtaking nude retains its original frame which was also hand-painted by the artist, Mabel Rollins Harris. Harris was a leading illustrator during the 1920’s and 1930’s and did calendar work for Brown & Bigelow and the Thomas D. Murphy Company, of which this is an example. Her original pastels are scarce and seldom come on the market. I just located a published version of this piece it is shown here and included in sale. It is completed artwork and, to these eyes, the finest of Harris’ creations.

Sprite of Springtime

Artist: Mabel Rollins Harris
Price:  S O L D

A spectacular, rare, exhibited large oil on canvas from 1924 titled, The Young Dianas. Retains original Carrig Rohane, hand signed and dated, carved gesso frame. An Art Deco masterpiece and a museum quality example of American Impressionist Painting.

The Young Dianas

Artist: Arthur Prince Spear
Price:  S O L D

An early art deco era masterpiece and one of only several oils ever painted by Arthur Spear in this large size. A playful nude nymph and allegorical satyr cavort near a river’s edge, titled in pencil on verso The Unveiling. Retains original carved wood gesso frame that appears to be a Carrig Rohane or similar quality. A masterpiece and a very rare surviving example of Spear’s mastery and Maxfield Parrish-like imagery and painterly technique.

The Unveiling

Artist: Arthur Prince Spear
Price:  S O L D

Spear did a series called “Sea Weeds” with haunting images of art nouveau mermaids and other sea dwellers. This original pastel is a stunning and highly detailed example from this series. The colors are vivid and her ghost-like presence is breathtaking. This original gouache is referenced in the Warren Historical Society book on Spear on page 33 lot # 147. it was completed in February of 1927 and sold in 1930 at a New York City studio show. Artwork retains original period frame which shows some wear and there is some very minor “bubbling” where paper surface has lifted from board. This wear is minor and easily repaired.

Sea Weeds

Artist: Arthur Prince Spear
Price:  S O L D

Spear did a series called “Sea Weeds” with haunting images of art nouveau mermaids and other sea dwellers. This is an original pastel on sandboard from this series. The mystical beauty of this underwater nymph lies in the simplicity of his rendering. It is housed in a beautiful original vintage art nouveau frame with corner detailing.

Mermaid Sea Dweller

Artist: Arthur Prince Spear
Price:  S O L D

 

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