Barn Antiques, 1930 Ruxton by Harry Anderson

Harry Anderson
1906-1996 | American

Barn Antiques, 1930 Ruxton
Exxon Great Moments In Early American Motoring calendar illustration

Signed "Harry Anderson" (lower right)
Gouche and tempera on board

A vibrant yellow 1930 Ruxton convertible parked on a country road commands attention at the center of this composition by Harry Anderson, one of the foremost American illustrators of the late 20th century. The painting hails from Anderson’s series entitled Great Moments In Early American Motoring that appeared in Exxon and Esso calendars produced in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Highly detailed in its execution, it perfectly demonstrates the luxury and mechanical artistry of this early automobile.

Harry Anderson was a prolific, award-winning illustrator who received his art education at the Syracuse School of Art. He worked on several national advertising campaigns for brands such as Coca-Cola, Ford and American Airlines, and he created illustrations for some of the most popular magazines of the day, including The Saturday Evening Post, Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan. In 1994, he was inducted into the Society of Illustrator’s Hall of Fame. Anderson is known best for his car calendar illustrations such as the present work, and because those calendars were popular with vintage car enthusiasts, Anderson was careful to render the automobiles with meticulous detail and accuracy.

Circa 1970

Board: 21 3/4" high x 27 1/4" wide
Frame: 28 1/4" high x 33 3/4" wide

Provenance:
Exxon Company, U.S.A., corporate collection