"Illustration for 'Somewhere at Sea'"   Lot no. 4604

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By Dean Cornwell (American- 1892-1960)

1917
33.25" x 26"
Oil on Canvas
Signed Lower Right

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This piece was created as an illustration for John Fleming Wilson’s short story Somewhere at Sea, published in the May 1917 issue of Redbook Magazine. The story tells of a group of businessmen in charge of a line of shipping vessels known as Falconer’s Packet Line and a business decision gone awry. This work depicts the final scene when Captain Cullison, who despite being wronged by his superiors, shows up to save them from the sinking ship, Selkirk. The artist captured the tension of this moment as Cullison’s selflessness forces the board to see clearly the Director’s wrongdoings and give him a taste of his own medicine. The inscription published alongside this illustration reads as follows:

 

“The directors of Falconers' sat about the table in the ornate saloon of the Selkirk. To them appeared Captain Cullison. . . . . Turner surged forward in his seat and thumped the table with his great fist. ‘Hear that question, Judge? Know the answer? You don't? I do. And now I'll take my profits on this speculation. Either you gentlemen instantly put me in control of Falconers', or I'll just take this matter to the public.’” (John Fleming Wilson, "Somewhere at Sea and Other Tales," Redbook Magazine, New York, May 1917, vol. 29, pp. 114-115).

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John Fleming Wilson, "Somewhere at Sea and Other Tales," Redbook Magazine, New York, May 1917, vol. 29, pp. 114-115, illustrated



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ABOUT THE ARTIST

            Dean Cornwell was a brilliant left-handed painter who dominated the illustration field for many years. As a student of Harvey Dunn, he inherited much of the teachings of Howard Pyle and later studied under Frank Brangwyn, the British muralist. To these influences Cornwell added his own monumental style, both intricate and bold.

 

            Cornwell was an untiring worker who made a great many preliminary studies and trial compositions before attempting a final painting in oils. These drawings have great interest by themselves for the beauty of their draftsmanship. 

 

            Prolific and in great demand, he illustrated for a wide variety of magazines and advertisers, but found time as well to paint many important murals. Notable among them were those for the Los Angeles Public Library. The General Motors mural at the 1939 Worlds Fair in New York. The Tennessee State Office Building, the Eastern Airlines building in Rockefeller Center, and the Raleigh Room at the Hotel Warwick in New York City.

 

            Dean was president of the Society of Illustrators from 1922-1926 and was elected to its Hall of Fame in 1959. He taught illustration at the Art Students League in New York, and by example created a "Cornwell School."