Carole Lombard Photoplay Magazine by Earl Christy - An Elegant Beauty

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Carole Lombard Photoplay Magazine

Carole Lombard Photoplay Magazine June Edition by the renowned American illustrator F. Earl Christy (1882 – 1961) showcases the golden age of Hollywood and the glamour of early 20th-century cinema. Christy, a celebrated figure in the art world known for his vibrant, dynamic magazine covers and promotional illustrations, was instrumental in capturing the allure of film stars of his era. This particular piece, featured on the cover of Photoplay magazine, is a vibrant portrayal of actress Carole Lombard, one of the most beloved actresses of the time, exuding both grace and seduction through Christy’s masterful brushwork.

The Main Subject

This artwork, is a close-up portrait of Carole Lombard, painted in such vivid detail that her facial features appear to come alive. Lombard is depicted in a glamorous, slightly exaggerated manner, her platinum blonde hair styled in soft curls that frame her face, while her eyes gaze directly at the viewer, creating a compelling, almost ethereal connection. Her lips, painted in a bold, crimson hue, stand out against the pale complexion, adding an air of sophistication and elegance. The emphasis on her beautiful face and expressive eyes suggests an attempt to capture not just her physical features but her captivating screen presence.

Style, Technique, and Medium

F. Earl Christy’s technique in this artwork is quintessentially Art Deco, with its fluid lines, bold color contrasts, and dynamic composition. The style was popular in the early 20th century, particularly in illustrations that accompanied film magazines, where glamour and idealized beauty were the focus. Christy utilized soft, flowing lines in Lombard’s hair and face, contrasting with the bolder, geometric patterns in the background. The color palette is rich, with shades of deep red, gold, and yellow, creating a striking contrast between the subject and the background. This gives the artwork a sense of movement and depth, as though Lombard herself is emerging from the canvas.

Christy’s use of light and shadow is particularly effective in adding dimension to the piece. The soft illumination on Lombard’s face brings out the smooth, porcelain texture of her skin, while the darker, shaded areas around her eyes and beneath her cheekbones lend the portrait a three-dimensional feel. This careful attention to light is part of the artist’s ability to imbue his subjects with a life-like quality, emphasizing the beauty of the subject in a way that makes the viewer feel as though they are peering into the world of Hollywood glamour from the 1930s.

Objects and Composition

The composition of the piece is dominated by Carole Lombard’s face, which takes up the majority of the canvas. Behind her is a bold, sweeping background of fiery red that complements the tones in her hair and lips. The contrast of bright red against the pale, almost alabaster skin of Lombard creates a powerful visual effect. Surrounding her face is a dark shadowed area that highlights her hair’s platinum blonde curls, further intensifying the contrast and drawing the viewer’s eye to her captivating eyes and lips.

The magazine’s name, Photoplay, is prominently displayed at the top of the image in large, white, blocky letters. The typography is clean and sharp, typical of magazine covers during this time period, contributing to the retro, vintage feel of the illustration. The subtitle “Blondes Plus Curves Mean War” underneath the magazine title adds intrigue and emphasizes the playful, slightly provocative nature of the era’s media, which often sensationalized the allure and power of Hollywood starlets.

Another noteworthy feature is the inclusion of Christy’s signature at the bottom right corner of the image. This subtle yet important detail highlights the personal touch of the artist, reminding the viewer that this illustration is not merely an advertisement, but a carefully crafted work of art.

Theme and Mood

The theme of the artwork revolves around the glamorization of Hollywood stars, capturing the essence of the film industry during its heyday. Christy’s illustration reflects the prevailing attitude of the time toward actresses, who were often portrayed as larger-than-life figures, embodying both beauty and strength. The theme of femininity, beauty, and allure is amplified by the title, which suggests that the combination of blondes and curves is a powerful force—perhaps even dangerous or capable of inciting conflict. This was a time when Hollywood and its stars were idolized, and Christy captured that idolization perfectly in his portrayal of Lombard.

The mood of the piece is one of sophisticated allure. Lombard’s direct gaze and confident posture convey both strength and sensuality, making the viewer feel as though they are witnessing a moment of cinematic magic. The rich, vibrant colors and the bold use of shadow contribute to an intense, almost mysterious mood, while the luxurious portrayal of Lombard herself evokes glamour and exclusivity.

In its entirety, the image conveys a sense of romanticized beauty that was central to the golden age of Hollywood cinema. Christy’s portrayal of Carole Lombard does more than capture her appearance—it immortalizes her as a symbol of grace, power, and allure that resonates beyond the screen.

Conclusion

In Carole Lombard Photoplay Magazine June Edition, F. Earl Christy created a timeless piece of artwork that not only celebrates the actress’s captivating beauty but also encapsulates the mood of Hollywood in the 1930s. Through his distinctive Art Deco style, Christy has brought Lombard to life, capturing the essence of a film star whose image dominated the silver screen. The illustration serves as a powerful reminder of a bygone era when magazine covers were works of art in themselves, designed to captivate and entertain audiences.

Background Info On The Magazine Cover

This June Edition of Photoplay Magazine features the Hollywood Starlet Carole Lombard (one of her best comedy roles was in My Man Godfrey with Dick Powell) of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Her portrait is surrounded by a swirling combo of fiery red and black that transitions to stripes of violet on the lower right.

Her golden blonde hair is beautifully accented by this color combination, that brings out her blue-grey eyes and fiery red lips.

Below her chin is a flow of yellow gold loops with black solid and dotted lines that create bow type look; and on the side of her hair is the signature of the artist.

Below that on a white background to the right is the actress name and off to the left the words Blondes Plus Curves Mean War.

The magazine at the top on the right above her hair, but below the cost of the publication has the NRA Eagle Symbol.

The NRA or National Recovery Administration, was a prime agency created by this Nations Greatest President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR 1882 – 1945) in 1933 (The only president to be elected four times to the White House).

The goal of the administration was to eliminate “cut throat competition” by bringing industry, labor, and government together to create codes of “fair practices” and set prices. Ref NRA

This is a remastered digital art old masters reproduction of a public domain image that is available as a canvas print online.

Artist Bio Derived From Askart.com

Christy was born in 1882 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and in 1899 at the ripe old age of 17 was painting original art for the Boardwalk Atlantic City Picture company.

Many of his early artworks were also published by the J. Hoover and Sons Calendar Company of Philadelphia; when he was 23 years of age he attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Arts from 1905 to 1907.

During his career Christy created dozens of magazine covers, illustrations and calendar prints for publications like the Dell Publishing Company, Modern Screen and Radio Stars, Ainslee’s magazine, American Magazine, Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly, McClure’s Photoplay Magazine, and many others.