90

GILBERT ADRIAN (1903-1959) African After Glow.


GILBERT ADRIAN (1903-1959)


African After Glow.
Oil on canvas, circa 1950. 635 x 762 mm; 25 x 30 inches (canvas). 756 x 883 mm; 29 3/4 x 34 3/4 inches (frame). Signed "Adrian" in lower right image. Title written on canvas frame. "No. 2" written on verso of canvas and on canvas frame.

Scene painted by the Hollywood costume designer known as "Adrian." This piece was number 2 of 19 oil paintings created upon returning from a 6-week tour of Africa in 1949. The "Well-Groomed Africa" series was exhibited at the Knoedler galleries in Manhattan in 1951.

Discovered by Irving Berlin in 1921, Adrian soon became a Hollywood wunderkind. He worked for Cecil B. DeMille before moving to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios where he became the most influential dress designer of the era, responsible for creating the Wizard of Oz costumes including Dorothy's ruby slippers, as well as dressing MGM's great stars like Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, and Katharine Hepburn. Broad-shouldered women's suits and the puffy-sleeve dress became his claim to fame and set the look and style that dominated American fashion during the 1930s and `40s. In the 1950s, his interest and travels in South America and Africa influenced his landscapes and fantastical fashion drawings.

SOURCE: Time magazine, Oct. 1, 1951.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

August 22, 2024 10:30 AM EDT
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
30.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
25.00%
$1,000,001+:
17.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000