Lot 156: Andrew Loomis O/C Illustration Painting, “Men Wanted in Pharmacy”, c. 1944

Andrew William Loomis (American, 1892-1959), “Men Wanted in Pharmacy,” oil on canvas advertising painting depicting a young boy with a chemistry set and scale. He is seated at a desk with his head resting on his wrist and appears to gaze into the distance, as if daydreaming, with his face lit by the glow of an unseen lamp. Signed lower left “Andrew Loomis”. Narrow ebonized wood frame with gilt sight edge.  Sight: 30 1/2 in. H x 23 1/2 in. W. Frame: 32 1/2 in. H x 25 1/2 in. W.  Note: This original artwork was created for a 1944 advertising campaign by Parke, Davis, and Company to attract more youth into the pharmacy field. The “Men Wanted in Pharmacy” framed posters based on this painting were created for and displayed in numerous pharmacy store window displays. A copy of the poster was also exhibited at the National Exhibition of Advertising Art at Rockefeller Center Galleries, Spring 1945 and pictured in the Art Directors Exhibition Annual book. Artist Biography: Born in New York and raised in Ohio, Andrew Loomis is said to have been inspired to a career in art illustration after a visit to the studio of Howard Chandler Christy. Loomis studied art at the Art Students League in NYC with Frank Dumond and George Bridgman, and at the Art Institute of Chicago. He opened his own illustration studio after serving in World War I and taught at the American Academy of Art in Chicago in the 1930s. In later life, Loomis lived in Los Angeles. He also produced a number of books on how to paint and draw. One of his illustrations was used for a cover of The Saturday Evening Post in 1935. He is the author of several books on illustration, and his work appears in the book The Illustrator in America: 1880-1980.

PROVENANCE: The estate of Dr. Ian M. Mathison, Murfreesboro TN and Big Rapids, MI.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition. UV light inspection reveals three small possible spots of retouch to upper left background. There are a few splatter spots lower left on book and one to subject’s sleeve.