WHAT: In 1941, using charcoal and pastel on art board, Ohio-born artist Howard Chandler Christy created an image for a billboard poster titled, “I Am an American!” The original sold for $40,000 early this year at Swann Galleries in New York. The result was an auction record for a drawing by Christy.
Known as creator of the “Christy Girl,” the artist followed the Gibson Girl era in idealizing young American women. Unlike Charles Dana Gibson, Christy often put his women to work, especially in promoting World War II efforts.
MORE: The art was presented to a New York junior high school during a ceremony in Central Park, and Billboard-size posters of the image were unveiled by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia in Times Square in 1942 to publicize the Central Park celebrations. Both the artist and his model were present for the Times Square event.
The female figure is “Columbia,” based on a frequent model for Christy, Elise Ford. She wears a laurel wreath and holds a volume of Constitutional law.
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: Done to honor naturalized citizens, the art was created for “I Am an American” day. Congress later renamed the holiday as “Constitution and Citizenship Day.”
HOT TIP: Measuring 54 inches by 42 inches, the work was signed by Christy and inscribed “To the SPIRIT OF AMERICA.”
BOTTOM LINE: Following the recent bruising election, we hope the art and its story will soothe ragged spirits.
