Ron S :: Illustration Art

The Corpse was Beautiful, American Magazine, May 1942

Artist: Thomas Lovell (All)

18 Comments - 779 Views - 6 Likes

The Corpse was Beautiful, American Magazine, May 1942 Comic Art

Additional Images:

Illustration as published

American Magazine, May 1942

Book on Lovell's career

Artwork Details

Title:	The Corpse was Beautiful, American Magazine, May 1942
Artist:	Thomas Lovell (All)
Media Type:	Paint - Oil
Art Type:	Illustration
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	779
Likes on CAF:	6 7
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	18
Added to Site:	5/12/2020
Comic Art Archive:

Description

And now, for something completely different. I�ve never really been focused on illustration art. Don�t get me wrong, I think many of the pieces that are posted are wonderful and amazing but I�ve never been ready to buy something. Until now. I recently picked up a piece that I thought I would share. Something about the artwork spoke to me. I can�t explain why (believe me, my family has asked), but I just love the piece.

The artist is Thomas Lovell. Born in 1909, by the 30�s, Lovell provided illustrations for advertising agencies and magazines such as Redbook, Life, Collier's, The American, Woman's Home Companion, and Cosmopolitan. In the 40's Lovell produced covers and illustrations for several magazines including Ace-High Western, Clues, Complete, Detective Tales, Dime Detective, Rangeland Romances, Star Western, and Top-Notch. Too old for the draft by WW II, he volunteered in 1944 and served for two years in the Marine Corps Reserve and spent most of his time as a Staff Sergeant working in Washington DC illustrating some 100 paintings for the Marine Corps magazine, Leatherneck.

Later in his life, he changed his focus to the Southwest and Native Americans. At this point, his career took off and in 1973 he was invited to become a charter member of the National Academy of Western Artists, and is the only artist to twice receive their Prix de West Award. In 1974 he was elected to the Society of Illustrators' Hall of Fame, and in 1975 he became a member of the Cowboy Artists of America. He passed away in 1997.

This piece was published in American Magazine in May of 1942. The American Magazine was founded in June 1906 and published through August 1956. High-profile writers contributed articles on a variety of topics. The magazine had mostly fictional short stories, and the magazine published several winners of the O. Henry Awards.

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About the Owner

	Ron S Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	June 2007
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	lihama5
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Stephen F
Member Since 2005

Posted on 5/12/2020

Wonderful painting Ron. It's a gem! Congrats!!

Mel C. and B. Carter
Member Since 2005

Posted on 5/12/2020

One of Lovell's very best. Big congrats.

Chris K.
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 5/12/2020

Dear illustration art collectors - Ron Sonenthal is lurking. You better hope his recent foray into your neck of the woods turns out to be a brief scratching of an itch...

Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008

Posted on 5/13/2020

Chris K. wrote:

Dear illustration art�collectors - Ron Sonenthal is lurking. You better hope his recent�foray into your neck of the woods turns out to be a brief�scratching of an itch...

Chris, you don't know how wrong you are! Despite just about every vintage illustration piece at every auction being absorbed by illustration collectors, I doubt there are even 10 of them who care about being a part of an online community, unfortunately. I for one believe I can speak for the few other friends who are also illustration collectors and who post our stuff online, and say that we wholeheartedly welcome Ron into the fold and hope he goes hogwild on the stuff and then posts it all here. The more the merrier!

This is an excellent Lovell piece, Ron, by one of the greatest mid 20th century illustrators. Oh, and your family asks you why you love THIS piece, but they don't wonder about all the kiddie comic book art??? Make sure you custom frame and hang this baby, because you may not know it due to the lack of nostalgia, but in terms of skill, talent and overall aesthetics, this is by many miles the absolute best piece of art in your collection now!

David Mandel
Member Since 2004

Posted on 5/12/2020

Pretty!

Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013

Posted on 5/12/2020

An incredible painting. Love the lighting. Huge congrats!!

Michael One Minute Later
Member Since 2005

Posted on 5/13/2020

This is a great piece ....really nice...

Nelson Animated Ink
Member Since 2005

Posted on 5/13/2020

While I am not familiar with the area at, I love the illustration. The lighting and the draping of the clothes are masterful. A great pick up Ron. I always look forward to your updates. Cheers! N.

Mark Howland
Member Since 2004

Posted on 5/13/2020

I, too, am principally a comic art guy, but I have ventured into the realm of illustration (and strip art) because there are so many good artists out there who create such intriguing and memorable images. One reason you may love this Lovell piece: Who is the woman? Why is she there? Why in the middle of the night? Whose patio is it? What caused the flash of light? What does the woman see? Why are binoculars sitting on the table? In creating this image, Lovell asks us to ask all these questions and more. I, too, tracked this painting, so I understand Chris' comment and the humor behind it. You have a beautiful addition to your impressive collection. Good luck on securing many more!

Terry Doyle
Member Since 2004

Posted on 5/13/2020

Nice looking corpse!

Marc Pecorella
Member Since 2007

Posted on 5/13/2020

Amazing piece! I see what draws you in when it comes to this beauty...

Ben Friedman
Member Since 2006

Posted on 5/13/2020

Great piece - welcome to the world of illustration! Watch out, it's just as addictive as comic art!!

artless artmore
Member Since 2013

Posted on 5/13/2020

Awesome painting! What a great TL example

Steven biali001
Member Since 2005

Posted on 5/13/2020

Great art! Sometimes we comic art collectors get lured to other types of art that speak to us (as happened to me when I bought a 1933 Vernon Grant advertising painting of his Rice Krispies Snap, Crackle, Pop creation). I'm sure you'll continue to enjoy it!

Alex Johnson
Member Since 2006
Forum Moderator

Posted on 5/15/2020

I love the work of illustrators of that era. Congrats.

Eric Seffinga
Member Since 2005

Posted on 5/16/2020

This is a wonderful piece. Beautiful choice. Kudos.

Chris C
Member Since 2004

Posted on 5/18/2020

This is like ART art, not just art...it's high high-falootin' caviar-scoopin' root-a-toot-tootin' high society-scootin', big boy art!!!!

George Hagenauer
Member Since 2005

Posted on 4/15/2021

A really nice example of lovell durign the period he was transitioning from the pulps to the slicks

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