WHAT: An oil painting on canvas by American illustrator Charles Relyea (1863-1932), titled “Columbia,” brought $5,500 in a recent sale of original illustration art at Swann Galleries in New York City. Measuring 30 inches by 24 inches, the art dates from 1917. The sale result was well above estimate.
MORE: A native of New York state, Relyea studied under painter Thomas Eakins at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; he also studied at the Art Students League in New York and later trained in Paris. Relyea’s work appeared in illustrated novels and in popular magazines.
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: The golden age of illustration in America was from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, as new techniques in printing made reproduction of art widely available. New art also became available quickly and for less.
Access to exciting visuals through color lithography created a public eager to see more and differing kinds of art. Those who could not afford oil paintings could now have art in their homes as well as in magazines and books.
HOT TIP: Whole schools of style were created through illustration art. Many artists such as Kate Greenaway, John Tenniel, N. C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish and others gained fame through illustration, some through children’s literature. Later luminaries were Beatrix Potter and Arthur Rackham. Today, select original versions of illustration art often sell higher than traditional works.
BOTTOM LINE: As propaganda, “Columbia” has everything going, including a (pick any) beleaguered/hopeful/brave/defiant central figure looking skyward, the draped flag, flanking eagles, and the Capitol as background. All make it irresistible to collectors of World War I memorabilia.
