December 2007
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/16/2008
(American, 1883-1953). 20'' x 17'' framed; 11'' x 14'' sight. SLR Stahr. Painted in vibrant colors, Lady Liberty stands regally between Washington and Lincoln, draped in an American flag and holding a palm branch in one hand, the U.S. Shield in the other. Light craquelure to the background; moderate craquelure across Lady Liberty's hip area. Nice frame with gold accenting along the interior perimeter. Stahr was a noted illustrator who contributed to Harper's Bazaar, Collier's Weekly and several other leading magazines of his time. He lived and worked in New York City and Long Island. This particular painting is important in that it marks the first appearance of Lady Liberty with both presidents. Stahr tried to sell it to the U.S. Government for use on its World War I posters, but the Government reportedly did not want the Presidents included in their poster image. Stahr changed the design, omitting Washington and Lincoln, and the resulting poster is the now-famous, government-issued ''Be Patriotic'' poster. The original painting offered in this sale appeared on the cover of the February 1928 issue of The Elks magazine.