Attr. Lomasney "Artists and Models" Movie Painting
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Description
Attributed John J. Lomasney (Irish, 1899-1989). Original painted movie advertisement poster for the 1955 film "Artists and Models" starring Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Shirley MacLaine, and Eva Gabor. The movie was released via Paramount Pictures and was directed by Frank Tashlin.
Provenance: The collection of John McEnroe; private Minnesota collection.
This painting was originally displayed in the Royan Hawaiian Theater in Honolulu. Over the course of his career, Lomasney painted over 56 years of film spanning from 1925 to 1981. These films included 387 Oscar nominated and 83 Oscar winning films. For each film, he only painted four of each poster, meaning that over the years, only one or two may of survived. Tennis player John McEnroe purchased the collection and featured them in his SoHo gallery.
Lomasney was born in Ireland but immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. He began as a set painter for Warner Brothers and Paramount. In 1936, he moved with his mother to Hawaii where he worked as the staff artist for the Royal Hawaiian Theater. At the time of his employment, theaters relied on "One Sheets" to entice movie-goers into the theater. He eliminated credits on the studio issued posters, creating more eye-catching, graphic, and colorful posters that highlighted the actors or action in the movies.
He was described as a focused man, whose only interest in conversation surrounded movies. He was quick to quiet those whose voices rose above a whisper, he dressed smartly, and was fastidious in his creations. Like most studio painters of the time, he was trained to be anonymous, and only two works with his signature are known to exist. When he left the Royal Hawaiian, he took only one paint brush and left all of his works. When he died, he was buried beside his mother in Diamond Head Memorial Park.
Sight; height: 43 1/2 in x width: 27 1/2 in. Framed; height: 46 in x width: 30 in x depth: 1 in.
Provenance: The collection of John McEnroe; private Minnesota collection.
This painting was originally displayed in the Royan Hawaiian Theater in Honolulu. Over the course of his career, Lomasney painted over 56 years of film spanning from 1925 to 1981. These films included 387 Oscar nominated and 83 Oscar winning films. For each film, he only painted four of each poster, meaning that over the years, only one or two may of survived. Tennis player John McEnroe purchased the collection and featured them in his SoHo gallery.
Lomasney was born in Ireland but immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. He began as a set painter for Warner Brothers and Paramount. In 1936, he moved with his mother to Hawaii where he worked as the staff artist for the Royal Hawaiian Theater. At the time of his employment, theaters relied on "One Sheets" to entice movie-goers into the theater. He eliminated credits on the studio issued posters, creating more eye-catching, graphic, and colorful posters that highlighted the actors or action in the movies.
He was described as a focused man, whose only interest in conversation surrounded movies. He was quick to quiet those whose voices rose above a whisper, he dressed smartly, and was fastidious in his creations. Like most studio painters of the time, he was trained to be anonymous, and only two works with his signature are known to exist. When he left the Royal Hawaiian, he took only one paint brush and left all of his works. When he died, he was buried beside his mother in Diamond Head Memorial Park.
Sight; height: 43 1/2 in x width: 27 1/2 in. Framed; height: 46 in x width: 30 in x depth: 1 in.
Condition
The colors are bold and bright. There are no major losses, creases, or tears. There are minute losses throughout, in particular along the upper right corner of the black portion in the center of the sheet. There are areas of soiling throughout. There are losses to the lower right and left corners, and the upper right corner. There are creases along the upper left and lower left corners. There are areas of discoloration throughout that are potentially artist generated, making it difficult to discern if there are areas of restoration. There is wear to the frame. Framed under plexiglass. Not examined out of frame.
Buyer's Premium
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Attr. Lomasney "Artists and Models" Movie Painting
Estimate $1,000 - $1,500
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