Original Antique Americana Silver Screen Gouache Illustration Painting Vilma Banky Ronald Colman The Two Lovers JC Leyendecker Manner 1929
Golden Age Illustration painting on woven paper, approximately 1928, in gouache, in the manner of Joseph C Leyendecker. Painting subject depicting a portrait of silent silver stars Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky in the film "Two Lovers" released in 1927, produced by Sam Goldwyn. (One of a series of films with the Banky and Colman teaming in film, during this era) The illustration exhibits Leyendecker's style and signature navy background. Banky's relaxed pose, seductive eyes with elongated lashes, languid expression, and kewpie doll pout, are very much present in the artist's other figural portraits.
Other artists in this specific genre of subjects, were:
Henry O'Hara Clive, Batiste Madalena, NC Wyeth, James Montgomery, Howard Chandler Christy, Clarence Underwood, Jack Shelton, Arthur William Brown, Harry Morse Myers, Mr. and Mrs. James William Preston, Orson Lowell, Norman Rockwell, Coles Phillips, Charles Dana Gibson, Will Crete, and Irma Dermeaux.
Manner of Joseph C Leyendecker
Americana, Golden Age Illustration
Vilma Banky, Ronald Colman
The Two Lovers
Film Release 1928 (also estimated approximate age of painting)
Produced by Samuel Goldwyn Studios (in the US)
UK Release 1929
Graphite, Gouache, on Paper
Ref:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0019501/mediaviewer/rm3261925120
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0019501/mediaviewer/rm802750464
Prints were made of this painting, promoting the film, with a bold typeface on the bottom edge, "The Two Lovers".
Norman Rockwell also painted film posters during his career. While primarily known for his covers for publications like the Saturday Evening Post, Rockwell also ventured into movie poster illustration. Rockwell painted posters for such films as The Song of Bernadette (1943), The Magnificient Ambersons (1942), Along Came Jones (1945), The Razor's Edge (1946), Cinderfella (1960), and Stagecoach (1966).
NC Wyeth also created paintings for posters for products and companies, magazine advertisements, and calendars for magzines and publications like the Saturday Evening Post.
It is certainly also plausible that this gouache painting for Two Lovers (1928 film) was used for a magazine advertisement, such as the Saturday Evening Post, rather than solely for a poster. This would support the painting's use for prints, as well; as The Saturday Evening Post produced many prints of their most memorable covers and advertisements by their top illustrators. During that era, film studios heavily utilized magazines and newspapers for film promotion. In the 1920s, publications like the Saturday Evening Post featured advertisements alongside other products, highlighting the glamour of the stars and the allure of Hollywood.
The Saturday Evening Post was known for commissioning prominent illistrators like JC Leyendecker and Norman Rockwell for its covers and advertisements. The magazine often featured full-page ads with illustrations promoting films, according to The Saturday Evening Post. The artwork created for such advertisements would often be high quality, sometimes even oil paintings of a similar size, suggesting that a gouache painting such as this one could have also been used for this purpose. The Two Lovers painting, with its portrayal of the stars in a romantic embrace, is well-suited for a magazine advertisement aimed at enticing potential movie-goers.
Golden Age Illustration Painting possibly published in Saturday Evening Post, Screen Play, Theatre, Picture Play Magazine, Photoplay Magazine, or Screenland.
The size of the entire paper is 13"X 20", bordered by painting. Actual painting size 11.3"X19"
Original, in the manner of Joseph Leyendecker's painting, is in good condition.
The signature is not found/is not legible, therefore the painting is listed as an attribution in the manner, style, and era of Joseph C Leyendecker, or close contemporary; one of the more prominent early artists associated with the school of American Golden Age Illustration artists.
There is a tear on the right side, about 2.5"; shows a bit. The image is taken up close, to show. Some remnants of the former matte, which was damaged, and removed, remain along some of the borders. The back of the painting's light board is still present, as seen protecting the painting. The painting is not attached to the backboard; it is simply to protect the painting and preserve part of the original framing. (The damaged frame was removed, and the illustration has no frame, or matte, only the backboard). The lower left portion has some tiny speckles of missing paint/very light abrasion. A tiny speckle of paint was lost to the left of Vilma Banky. None of these detract but should be mentioned for quality assurance. Please review all images.
The painting will be professionally packed, with insurance, signature confirmation, and a tracking number provided to the purchaser.
This painting was featured on History Channel's "Pawn Stars" episode, "Eye of the Tiger", premiered Thursday, November 5th, 2015.
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