"Happy Endings" Lot no. 3748
By Tom Lovell (1909-1997)
1940 (Estimated)
31.00" x 25.00"
Oil on Linen
Signed and Dated
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The stretcher is dated 4/23/40 in pencil on the back. Next to this date is what looks like to be an inventory number -8755
Featured in GoodHousekeeping Magazine, July 1940
This oil painting was executed in a “duo-tone” technique used for magazine illustrations before full-color printing was common. Because the scene depicted in the paining is set at night, the subdued and limited palette of the duotone style works very well as an accurate and realistic depiction of the night time event. It is full of drama and is very theatrical in nature. This is fitting as the action takes place outside a theater (believed to be Lovell’s local theater the Westport (CT) Playhouse- setting for many of Paul Newman’s early theatrical endeavors.)
The painting depicts an elegantly dressed couple standing outside a theater featuring a show titled "A Happy Ending". The man standing next to them has either just made a pass at the woman and upset her partner, or perhaps she had a clandestine meeting with him and her partner is upset. Make up your own story! Although you could read the original short story for which the illustration was painted. It is included in the sale of this painting. It is in the Good Housekeeping Magazine July 1940 issue. The story is titled "Farewell Without Regret." The caption under the illustration reads, "Quietly she said, "Sonny, why can't you stop spoiling things for me.?"
Explore related art collections: Magazine Stories / Romance / Fashion / $20,000 - $50,000 / 1940s
See all original artwork by Tom Lovell
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Had an extreme attention for detail and rarely completed more then a dozen major oil paintings a year. He was a Freelance illustrator for many well-known magazines including Colliers and the Saturday Evening Post and become known as a pulp illustrator. His work depicting life in the old west earned him his reputation of Dean of Western Art and allowed him to win just about every major Western Art prize that exist. He was voted into the Society of Illustrators in 1974 and was chosen to receive two Gold Metals.