"“Appearance and Reality” by Somerset Maugham" Lot no. 4344
By Charles E. Chambers (American- 1883-1941)
1934
24.00" x 32.00"
Oil on Canvas
Signed Lower Left
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Story illustration for “Appearance and Reality” by W. Somerset Maugham, published in Cosmopolitan, November 1934, pages 22-23.
Described as "A masterfully witty story of manners and morals in Paris, where appearances always mean so much more than the facts themselves," the narrative centers around Monsieur Le Sueur, a married Senator and businessman, who becomes infatuated with the alluring fashion model, Lissette. Having established Lissette as his mistress, he provides her with an apartment only to discover that his young love has a boyfriend. In a surprising turn of events, Le Sueur agrees to the lovers' marriage, believing it befitting for a man of his standing to maintain a respectable married woman as his mistress.
The illustration itself is captivating, employing a striking red, white, and black color palette that effectively conveys the underlying tension. Lissette, draped in a lacy white robe and silk stockings, gazes at the older Le Sueur with a sense of self-satisfaction, while he appears visibly distressed. The empty chair, abandoned food on a stylish plate, and a half-full cup of coffee alongside a still-smoking cigar subtly suggest the temporary absence of Lissette's younger lover. The accompanying full caption reads: "‘The young man of yours—has he my distinction, my intelligence?’ Reproached Monsieur Le Sueur. ‘Oh, no,’ smiled the fickle Lisette. ‘I love him because he’s young.’”
Charles Chambers was a master of his craft, renowned for his polished and compelling compositions. His illustrations, featuring anatomically perfect figures and meticulously rendered objects in harmonious colors, were perfectly suited for reproduction. He successfully balanced his career between editorial assignments for prominent publications like Cosmopolitan and Redbook, and high-profile advertising commissions for esteemed clients such as Steinway & Sons, Chesterfield, and Palmolive. His work consistently demonstrated a skilled and distinctive style that solidified his reputation as a leading illustrator of his era.
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ABOUT THE ARTIST
Charles Edward Chambers was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, studied at the Chicago Art Institute, and later the Art Students League in New York with George Bridgman.
His illustrations were extremely skillful, marked by subtlety of value and color. He early learned to adapt his method of painting for the best possible reproduction, and to insure fidelity of printing, he often followed the assignments through to the hands of the engraver who made the plates.
Chambers divided his time almost equally between editorial and advertising assignments. Among his advertising commissions was an outstanding series of portraits of musicians for Steinway & Sons. His distinctive illustrations for billboards, notably for Chesterfield and Palmolive Soap, set high standards for that field.
He painted a dramatic series of cover designs for Redbook, worked under exclusive contract for Cosmopolitan magazine for several years, and illustrated such authors as Pearl Buck, Louis Bromfield, Faith Baldwin, and W. Somerset Maugham.
Among his numerous awards was the second Altman Prize at the National Academy of Design exhibition in 1931 for his portrait of watercolorist and fellow-illustrator John Alonzo Williams.